One of Edutain Distribution`s newest and most exciting projects is in association with the CSIR, and involves the marketing and distribution of the VeZA Tourism CD-ROM product, which also has many educational advantages.
VeZa stands for "Visit and Explore South Africa", and also means `to show` in both Xhosa and Zulu. It is an interactive multimedia program comprising three CD-ROMs for promoting South Africa, tourism growth and business opportunities. VeZA is a world first, and unique in various aspects such as the comprehensiveness of information, quality of the multimedia application, digital art, interactive map components, integration of advertising as part of the service delivery structure, and interactive mechanisms for direct conversion to bookings.
VeZA, as the official South African Tourism multimedia platform, is firstly a travel-planning tool for the prospective tourist or businessman and allows you to visit South Africa from your own home, "viewing " the destination before you make a final decision. It also facilitates the planning of your trip in detail. VeZA includes complete city maps with enhancements such as a street search engine as well as the capability to search for accommodation, car rental outlets, towns, tourism attractions and much more. Secondly, it assists the international tourism industry and South Africa`s promotion agencies to package and sell tourism, business potential, products and services. This wealth of information also makes VeZA a unique educational and training tool. Produced by the CSIR in association with South African Tourism and Private Sector companies, VeZA introduces tourism in its largest sense for both local and global travellers alike. Presented in the form of videos, photographs, 3 dimensional photographs, text and print articles, it is rounded off with illustrated myths and legends of the Rainbow Nation.
The product is endorsed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Min Valli Moosa), South African Tourism, Proudly South African, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Avis and Gary Player.
Says Pieter Coetzee, CSIR Project Manager for VeZA: "VeZA is an innovative and truly unique multimedia application utilising cutting edge technology. It is fully web-enabled and the system can, inter alia, provide you with statistics on the number of users accessing the commercial information on the product and making bookings, thus indicating VeZA`s success in bringing visitors to our shores. At the same time it is a superb educational tool which teaches children about our heritage, history and country."
In a very exciting development, VeZA will be distributed to official delegates attending the United Nations` 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to be hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa from the 26th of August until the 4th of September.
In a letter addressed to the CSIR, the Director General of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Crispian Olver, said:
"The department is of the opinion that the VeZA CD is an ideal product for marketing and promoting firstly South Africa, and secondly the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. The technology platforms developed are very suitable for information dissemination to WSSD delegates in an interactive, high quality multimedia format."
Coincided with the Summit, the CSIR will also be launching a new international distribution network that will enable tourists and travellers to buy VeZA from bookstores, curio shops and other major retail outlets throughout the country!
"South Africa`s hosting of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development is an undertaking of major global significance and is an ideal opportunity to introduce SA in all its diversity, beauty and splendor to international visitors. Users are taken on a virtual tour through SA with high quality video`s, 3-D photo`s, music and text articles on history, animal and plant life, world heritage sites, culture and advertisers such as accommodation, tour operators, shopping, etc. - says Project Manager, Pieter Coetzee"
For more information, visit www.veza.co.za or www.edutain.co.za
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