SINCE being first introduced to the industry at Indaba in May this year, the multimedia, interactive CD Rom tourism promotion package, VeZA, has sold over 350 000 copies, 120 000 of which were purchased by South African Tourism (Satour) for national and international marketing.
Travel Now was informed of this by a VeZA representative at the official launch of the product - developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - held at the Star/Getaway Show on Friday evening, September 15.
Dr Patrick Matlou, deputy director general at the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism (DEA&T), attended the launch - which was held to coincide with Tourism Month - and endorsed the product by highlighting its "hands-on, fully comprehensive and applicable uses".
The CD Rom series is aimed at both local and global travellers and appears in the form of three CDs featuring videos, photographs, maps, IPIX images and text providing detailed information on accommodation, car hire and places of interest in the country.
Other features include a booking service and information on the history and cultures of South Africa. Videos featuring footage of, amongst others, the 'Big Five', SA's marine life and birdlife provide insight into what tourists can expect to see when they visit the country.
Satour is a strategic partner of VeZA and the CD Rom package will be distributed to embassies. travel agents and tour brokers both locally and abroad.
(Adéle Mackenzie)