Microsoft and UNWTO join together to help tourism in emerging countries
The UN World Tourism Organisation and Microsoft Corporation have announced a partnership to expand information communications technology in the tourism sector of emerging countries.
Focusing on Africa, the partnership will provide technology designed to improve export competitiveness, product quality and support skills.
A portal is being created to help the flow of information in the event of catastrophes affecting tourism.
Bringing together public and sector data, it will help tourism destinations respond more rapidly and effectively in emergencies and help recovery programmes.
It will be used initially to help the industry prepare for a potential avian flu pandemic.
Microsoft will also develop a Portal called Windows on Africa to showcase African tourism, linking to visitor centres, museums, and libraries. Ultimately, it will provide real-time destination specific data via PDAs and mobile devices.
Francesco Frangialli, secretary general of UNWTO, said in the next five years it will also use technology to help improve access for tourists through electronic border clearance and sustainability management at destinations.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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