Zimbabwe launches first tourism App

Zimbabwe launches its first tourism application, Accoleisure, with an aim to bring the country’s sought after destinations to the digital age.

“Through the app, tech savvy domestic and international tourists have been offered a platform to search for accommodation, interact with tourism operators and service providers as well,” said Elisha Chitate, product development manager at Accoleisure.

“This is a first of its kind in Zimbabwe because Accoleisure does not require data and connects all key stakeholders in the tourism industry at a single platform. Essentially the App is a step in the right direction in promoting our tourism destinations in the digital arena. Accoleisure is more like your normal mobile apps. It provides the tourism sector with relevant details of tourism operators and service providers. Tourists can search for hotels, tourism facilities, transport, game parks, restaurants and entertainment events,” he said.

Accoleisure is free as users do all searches, everything offline. For international visitors there are no roaming charges but if users want to make a reservation or chat online to the service providers and establishments listed, then roaming charges would apply.

“Approximately 63 per cent regional travellers make their bookings online so you find that compared to our 34 per cent we still have a lot of work to do. It is clear that half the world’s population can make an online booking for a holiday in any part of the globe. The onus is now on us to tap into that low hanging market,” said Karikoga Kaseke, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive.

With inputs from Bulawayo24