New innovative tech-solutions on offer at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023
Through the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA – an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) launched the Tourism Technology Grassroots Innovation Incubator Programme (TTGIIP) introducing a pool of innovators to spearhead concepts that will stimulate the growth and recovery of the tourism sector.
At this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba, nine small tech-savvy businesses with technology innovative solutions formed part of the exhibiting businesses to international and local buyers, delegates from Africa and the world to offer solutions that are tech-driven in order to assist travel trade entities and individuals manage travel needs, through technology innovation.
Twenty (20) tech-savvy entrepreneurs, between the ages of 18 and 35, were selected to begin a two-year journey in tourism’s incubator programme to advance the design and business viability of their prototypes. Once finalised, the innovations will be introduced to the sector and potential investors for funding, implementation, or as resources for new ventures and new business entrants in tourism.
Amongst the nine tech-savvy businesses that got to showcase their solutions is a 27-year old Mandla Magwaza of The Arts Revolution Project in Gauteng, a tech business that provides 360-degree virtual reality video technology, allowing for immersive video creation. His technology business produces video recordings where a view in every direction is recorded at the same time, shot using an omnidirectional camera or a collection of cameras.
On the photo: Dep. Minister of Tourism with Mandla Magwaza of The Arts Revolution Project, during Mahlalela's visit to the pavilion
The Arts Revolution Project by Magwaz tech-solution ensures that during playback on normal flat display, the viewer has control of the viewing direction, creating an immersive experience.
Anathi Mnconco, co-founder of Smartie Luggage shares that his solution enhances security in traveling experience, it has a fingerprint lock mechanism that enables travellers to track the luggage.
This is done by incorporating our unique zipperless fingerprint lock mechanism, we have completely removed the traditional zip lock mechanism which increases the risk for Luggage infiltration. From the mobile app you can also access features such as tracking capabilities, luggages weigh scale, receive notifications should anyone try to temper with your luggage, and weigh your luggage before heading to the airport with our integrated scale
Smartie Luggage is currently in the prototyping stage, with the prototype launching next month (June) and plans of piloting in December. Should anyone want to get their hands on this luggage tech-innovative solution when it is officially launched should visit their website on www.smartieluggage.com so they can get an early bird.
mTemp is a jobs listing and on-demand platform connecting businesses to talent through our WhatsApp ChatBot. Reach a broader audience and advertise your opportunities on the most used social media platform in the country. Founded by tech-entrepreneur Ntshabo Lehong, the solution provides access to opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry nationwide.
Lehong studied Hospitality Management through the International Hotel School and worked within the Hospitality & Tourism Industry. “I have always had a passion for the hospitality industry and have always been an out of the box thinker. Going into innovation and entrepreneurship was a natural next step for me”. said Lehong.
“How we came about with this is I came across a call for proposals from the Department of Tourism and Technology Innovation Agency, looking for tourism innovation and we just took a chance and pitched. We didn’t know what would be the outcome and we believed in what we were pitching. Fortunately we got the thumbs up, and made it to the programme”, elaborated Lehong.
Etela Africa said they've been part of the Africa Youth In Tourism challenge, coming through as runners-up and they have been working tirelessly in promoting their business. Founded by the duo Mamello Mofokeng and Nkululeko Nkosi, Etela Africa provides online services such as event ticketing, destination booking, virtual tour guiding as well as digital payment solutions.
“We’ve gotten so much support for Innovation Technology Agency as well as the Department of Tourism, and being manly being able to access the market, being able to vet reliable vendors for the system and also understanding what type of POPI act that needs to be taken into consideration when dealing with such crucial information that comes from people who are using this system”, said the duo, Mofokeng and Nkosi.
The TTGIIP is a two-year development programme that supports tech-savvy entrepreneurs, between the ages of 18-35, to develop technologies to facilitate the introduction of new concepts that will revive, sustain and create jobs in the Tourism sector.
The programme aims to:
- Inspire innovation amongst enterprises in the travel and hospitality sector,
- Empower youth & women in tourism business operations,
- Facilitate commercialisation and market access funding in the travel and hospitality businesses, and
- Create new jobs and facilitate skills development.
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