This year, World Tourism Day (September 27) highlighted the importance of digital technology in the tourism sector. In line with this, the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism is focusing on developing a digital readiness toolkit aimed at small businesses.

Research conducted by the department has found that small businesses in the province lack an awareness and understanding of the impact that digital adoption could have on their operations.

The toolkit is an online, mobile website that will show all the available, on-the-ground resources a small business might need, such as mentorship, funding, business development support, useful apps and downloadable tools.

The platform will also include a range of features and content, catering for the various needs of start-ups and growth businesses, such as a business self-assessment to identify what aspects of the business need attention, a range of downloadable tools, and access to business content from a range of partners.

Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde said: “The toolkit may not have been specifically developed for the tourism industry, however we know that many of the province’s SMMEs are in the tourism space, and once fully functional, the toolkit will go a long way towards helping these businesses embrace digital technology.”

Tourism is one of the key drivers of the economy in the Western Cape and responsible for creating 300 000 jobs in the province. In South Africa, one in 23 people are employed within this sector.

In recent years, the industry has seen the important role that digital technology can play in the tourism sector, ranging from the use of social media for marketing purposes, through to online booking platforms, and mobile phone applications.

“The fourth industrial revolution is a chance for us to embrace technology, and harness innovation. Once we do, there is tremendous room for growth and further job creation, especially in the tourism sector,” added Winde: “Cape Town has recently been named as the technology hub of Africa, and we are home to some fantastic fin-tech businesses and developers. By working together, the tech and tourism sectors in this province have the potential to create some great products that could make travel simpler for tourists and business easier for tourism operators and businesses.”