The new Smart Tourism Visitor Information Centre has officially opened at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, marking a major step in how South Africa welcomes travelers and showcases tourism across the country. The centre was launched by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille as part of a broader effort to push digital transformation, improve visitor experiences, and support inclusive tourism growth across all nine provinces.
The Smart Tourism Visitor Information Centre is designed as a paperless and interactive space that gives travelers real time access to local tourism, cultural, and heritage attractions. Located in the international arrivals area, the centre immediately introduces visitors to South Africa with large digital screens displaying nature, culture, and travel highlights. The space is built with inclusive accessibility features to support visitors with special access needs.
Minister Patricia de Lille said the new centre signals a shift in how South Africa uses technology to support tourism and economic growth. She highlighted that tourism still holds strong potential to create jobs, support small businesses, and strengthen communities through domestic and international travel. She also noted that staying competitive globally requires ongoing innovation and digital solutions.
The centre introduces automated digital tools that make travel support easier and faster. A new digital complaint system allows visitors to submit tourism related concerns directly at the centre without traditional manual filing. Six trained information officers are positioned at the centre to assist travelers with logging documentation, asking questions, and navigating tourism options across different provinces.
The centre is the first step in a larger smart tourism plan. The ministry is building a future mobile application that will link directly with the centre. The app will include digital navigation tools, recommended itineraries, regional content, transport information, audio guides in multiple languages, short videos, and photo galleries. The goal is to allow visitors to carry practical information throughout their stay, using one simple digital platform.
The centre will also support tourism businesses, especially in smaller towns and rural areas that often struggle with technology resources. The ICT systems linked to the centre will help local tourism businesses market their services, improve product offerings, and connect directly with travelers arriving in South Africa.
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, emphasized that the new centre connects communities and small businesses to real visitor traffic. He expressed support for more Smart Tourism Visitor Information Centres to be rolled out nationally as part of long term sector transformation.
Long term digital plans include a mobile Smart Tourism App that gives travelers full access to historical sites, monuments, tourism guides, and visual content across all provinces. This approach aims to give visitors a complete digital experience from arrival to departure.
To support innovation and long term growth, partnerships between government and private sector stakeholders remain critical. The Tourism Growth Partnership Plan seeks to align both sides over the next five years to increase tourism numbers, create more employment opportunities, and build a stronger travel economy.
