Dr. Reedwaan Ismail gave a presentation on openness in tourism through apps. He discussed how technology and apps have transformed how tourists research destinations by providing information that can be shared openly via smartphones and tablets. This allows tourism information to be produced, transmitted, accessed, and shared globally at low cost. Apps provide opportunities for businesses to market locally and for communities to promote themselves, but their adoption faces challenges from reluctance to embrace technology and a need for funding support. Dr. Ismail proposed the creation of a Tourism Academy to provide open educational resources to the tourism industry via podcasts, apps, videos and online assessments.

1. 2013
Teaching & Learning
with
Technology Day
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Topic
Openness in Tourism through APPs
By
Dr Reedwaan Ismail
06 November 2013

2. Definition of “open” in tourism terms
The “Open” Definition sets out to define ‘openness’ in
relation to data and content
“A piece of data or content is open if anyone is free to use
it, reuse and redistribute”
clker.com

3. • Technology has transformed the manner in which
tourists research a destination.
• Through technology tourism related APPs can be
downloaded on smart phones and Tablets
• This is information that is shared and is open to all who
has access to the internet, has a smart phone or tablet
• The information or knowledge is produced, transmitted
and accessed and shared at a minimal cost to a global
audience
• Immediate feedback provided

4. • The internet is a driving force in open knowledge
dissemination
• New distribution channels are used to share
information
• GPS technology allows a tourist to share their
location with family and friends across the globe
• The technology at our disposal allows us to market
our tourism product across various channels at
speeds unthought-of a few years ago.

5. Websites are gateways to obtaining tourism information
Tourist use mobile smart phones
Laptop
Tablet
PC
To access information
Social media
Eric Schmidt from Google said: “There are 35 billion
devices connected to the internet. Soon, there will be
so many that we’ll stop counting”

6. How does “openness” lead to changes in tourism
education?
• Curriculum development
What % of the current tourism curriculum content
cover the use of technology in tourism
Are we still teaching students how to draw up an
itinerary when there are websites that will do it
Information overload eg tourist guide – use of smart
phones to store information

7. How does “openness” lead to changes in tourism
education? Continued
• Lecturer knowledge upgrade
• Collaboration
• Incentivise teaching materials development eg APPs
• Student employable – globally
Eg student run a facebook campaign in tourism
• Institution – be at the cutting edge of technology
Research outputs, conference papers, attract funding
• Do we need textbooks ?

8. Tourism APPs
Search “Cape Town Walk”
Select Langa Township APP
Benefits
Source of open information to tourists and locals
Opportunity for businesses to advertise
Commercial opportunity
Platform – Google & Apple
Promote local community
Easy to create

9. Tourism APPs – continued
Challenges
• Willingness of staff to move out of their comfort
zone and embrace the Technological advancement
• Willingness of the institution to support and
promote “openness”
• Funding without strings attached
• Create a platform in the institution to champion the
initiative

10. Tourism Academy
Free to all tourism practitioners in the hospitality
and tourism industry
Podcast, APPs, video tutorial, assessments
Accreditation via CATHSSETA
(Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, Sport Sector Education)
Tourism Academic staff provide material
Skills development
Transfer of knowledge
Industry participation
Global employment opportunity

11. In conclusion
• Invest in yourself through education, attend workshops,
online courses, video tutorials
• Be bold
• Challenge the norm
• Think out of the box and be innovative
• Technology afforded us additional opportunities
• Educators, collaborate with your students
It is in giving that you receive
clker.com

12. • Research
• Tourism APPs
• Tourism Workshops
• Slave Walk Orientation Tour
Dr Reedwaan Ismail
Cell: 082 537 2437
Email: info@wrtourism.co.za
Website: www.wrtourism.co.za