ONLINE MARKETING OF ART, CULTURE AND TOURISM IN PREPARATION FOR THE UNWTO ASSEMBLY IN ZIMBABWE 2013

By

Fungai Hamilton Mudzengerere

Tourism and travel is the now the world’s largest industry which generates revenue, offers employment and marks the backbone of most economy. With the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) assembly to be held in Zimbabwe in August 2013, players and stakeholders need to be geared for massive marketing strategies so that they stand the competition as many players will be looking for lucrative business. Online marketing of art, culture and tourism products shows compliance to the technological advancement worldwide. Artists must not turn a deaf ear to the new technological advancements as this is an opportunity to showcase their talents and work so that the global village will get to know them. According to the World Tourism Organisation, tourist arrivals in Africa almost doubled from 26 million in 2000 to 46 million in 2010 and the figure is expected to be 75 million in 2020. The use of online marketing of Zimbabwean tourism, art and culture helps to catch prospective customers of the products from all corners of the world and this will in turn increases the number of tourists visiting the country. Most tourists in Africa came from developed countries which include: United States, Germany, Japan and United Kingdom although domestic and regional tourism is slowly picking up.

Information is now very crucial in the day to day operations and it must be spread to promote global communication. Tourism information is crucial and should be communicated all over the world as tourists come from are bound to visit any place especially those from developed countries. The internet came as a blessing to the art and tourism sector as it is fast and efficient in disseminating information as compared to the other modes of communication.  The advantage of online communication is that the waiting period to get information has been reduced as answers are obtained instantly for what one is asking for. Thus information must be readily available on the internet as a way of surviving the completion in the hospitality industry.

Internet marketing is very important in that the customer looks for the products then choose which one to pick without visiting the service or product provider. The customer is satisfied with the products through the way they are displayed and showcased. The art of convincing the customer through the internet is now a priority here and the way the products are shown on the internet may scare away the customers. As Zimbabwe is busy preparing to host the UNWTO general assembly in 2013 in Victoria Falls, let the players and stakeholders in art, culture and tourism do their best in fully utilising the internet to market their products so that tourists and other visitors will get to know about their existence because if you are not on the internet nowadays, you seem not to exist. Tourist and art products are seen by the customers or visitors on their arrival, thus information to make decision on purchasing need to be eye-catching and convincing via the online media. Many tourist destinations, art and culture facilities loose business because they are failing to market their products online.

Showcasing goods and services on the web is sometimes very cheap as compared to other advertisement media and it has an advantage that it reaches many potential customers. Information for the web can be in form of pictures, video clips, voice advertisements, brochures and other animations. Information about location, pricing, profile of artist or company can as well be included as this will help the clients in making up a decision about what is being offered. Investing in developing a web or just joining social networks goes an extra mile in showing the existence of a tourist, art and culture centre or facility for the coming UNWTO general assembly which is to be held at one of The Seven Wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls. Quality presentation of the material on the internet is very crucial in winning clients from competitors. Include as well the contact details in case there are some who may want to make follow ups through e-mailing, calling or even visiting.

                                                               

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