Joburg's just a click away

A new tourism booking portal will put a spring in the Johannesburg Tourism Company step. It will bring the city closer to people, and connect global consumers to Joburg’s attractions.
SPRING has officially welcomed Joburg into its warm embrace, and to celebrate the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) is launching a booking portal to promote travel packages in the city.

JTC CEO Lindiwe KwleleJTC CEO Lindiwe Kwele: Joburg will only be a click away from the rest of the worldIt is a new channel in the organisation’s marketing process, available on its website, which will be up-and-running by 10 September. “We’re very excited about the imminent launch of our booking portal, as it provides a powerful touch-point to connect consumers globally with the variety of products, leisure options and activities available in Joburg,” says the JTC chief executive officer, Lindiwe Kwele.

“While we’ll always be a long-haul destination in terms of the international market, this portal brings the city closer to people through very personal mediums like mobile phones and PCs. We’re truly just a click away now anywhere in the world – in your office, home or in your pocket.”

JTC is therefore encouraging event organisers, hotels and tour operators to get involved and be promoted in packages. To do so, they can email kirstenv@joburgtourism.com.

“Joburg Tourism packages and launches new tourism nodes and routes on an ongoing basis, encouraging locals and visitors to venture further afield,” says the JTC’s public relations and communications manager, Laura Vercueil.

“These include cultural routes, exploring Chinese, Portuguese, Jewish, Italian and Indian influences in the city and its surroundings. Sites include historical places of interest, markets, restaurants and places of worship. Lovers of the outdoors have an abundance of options to enjoy nature, adventure and outdoor food market routes,” she adds.

Tourism remains top of the agenda in terms of being an economic growth imperative, and has been declared as such in the City’s Growth and Development Strategy (GDS). It is a catalyst in encouraging the development of the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) sector.

Spring fashion:Spring fashion: Joburg offers a whole lot of fashion events for local and international touristsAs a way of achieving these aims, the JTC has partnered with numerous organisers to promote an array of upcoming events in Johannesburg. “Every year, Joburg bursts into spring with a flurry of festivals and events, encouraging all to celebrate the new season by getting out and about, and this year is no different,” Kwele says.

“From signature events like Arts Alive and the Joburg Shopping Festival in September, to Africa Fashion Week in October and the Sansui Summer Cup in November, Joburg is brimming with a broad range of consumer, lifestyle and sporting events.”

September also happens to be Tourism Month, during which Heritage Day also falls, and the JTC is challenging Joburgers to experience their home from a different perspective and become tourists in their own city.

“Try out the Gautrain, take the Rea Vaya and explore corners of Joburg you might never have even known about before,” she says.

“Immerse yourself in what makes our destination and our city unique; this is what building a domestic tourism base and culture is all about.”