Valentine Marc Nkwame
4 October 2008
Arusha — America's 'Big Blue' is coming to town. The International Business Machine (IBM) isn't going to open shop here but will be helping local tourism operations to enter the 21st century.
The Arusha based, Tanzania Association of Tour Operators is hiring the services of IBM's Corporate Service Corps to improve the organization's use of new technologies and communications strategies in order to work more efficiently and effectively with its members.
As part of this work, the IBM team is currently working with TATO to re-launch its website and establish stronger relationships with its members and tourists. IBM has also provided TATO and its members with free access to an online toolkit for small businesses.
IBM's Corporate Service Corps is a new program designed to give employees an opportunity to work in emerging markets alongside colleagues from around the world. By bringing together employees from different geographies, cultures and areas of expertise, IBM is encouraging the development of new skills as more markets play a role in the global economy.
A tourist in Arusha
"New online business toolkit provided by IBM will be available when the new website is launched. This toolkit was developed by IBM and provides resources including: Accounting and Finance; Business Planning; Human Resources; International Business; Legal and Insurance; Marketing and Sales; Operation; and Technology," said Mustafa Akonaay, the TATO Executive Secretary.
He however refuted the suggestion that his association was in the past operating under outdated office and communications set-up.
"We recently announced results of new market data study predicting that the number of inbound international tourists traveling to Tanzania will double by 2012. This is part of our new, more proactive approach to public relations as part of our work with IBM. By publicly announcing this survey, we look to position TATO as a thought leader and Tanzania as a premier tourist destination," he added.
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), nicknamed "Big Blue", is a multinational computer technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, USA. The company is one of the few information technology companies with a continuous history dating back to the 19th century.
IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and offers infrastructure services, hosting services, and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology.
IBM has been known through most of its recent history as the world's largest computer company; with over 388,000 employees worldwide, IBM is the largest information technology employer in the world
The IBM team in Tanzania on the other hand, consists of nine employees from countries around the world including Costa Rica, Eritrea, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the United States, and New Zealand. Each team member has a different area of expertise including IT consulting, human resources, financial management, sales, communications, and public relations.
In addition to working with TATO, IBM's Corporate Service Corps team in Tanzania is partnering with The African Wildlife Foundation and Kick-Start.
TATO was established in 1983 to represent tour operators in Tanzania and provide a common and comprehensive stand and input for the Government and in its institutions in matters pertaining to formulation of tourism policy, plans and programs.
So far there are a total of 350 licensed tour operators in Tanzania as of 2008; out of these over 250 (or about 88 percent) are members of TATO. The Association is the only government recognized representative for tour operators in Tanzania.
TATO will now offer its members free resources including on online toolkit provided by IBM for small businesses regular workshops and meetings on how to take advantage of the growing tourism industry in Tanzania, providing accurate and timely information about travel related requirements and regulations; helping with education and business leads; market Tanzania as destination; providing access to new, international customer markets; providing membership directory; offering media relations and press support; and guidance on sustainability.
The focus of the association is to pursue the interests of its members by providing advice and information to the government and its institutions on the formulation policies and legislation in relation to the tourism industry, with the aim of creating an environment for tour operators and other players that is conducive to the growth of tourism in Tanzania.
TATO aims to provide a common and comprehensive position of the tourism industry in its relations with the Government and its institutions in matters pertaining to the formulation of tourism policy, plans and programs.
TATO aims to establish and maintain high quality and standards amongst its members and other tourism intermediaries, such as hotels, reserved areas, airlines and marine transport. IBM will also be helping TATO launch its new website in October 2008.
Tanzania gets an average of 700,000 tourists per year and over 80 percent of this figure ends up in Arusha, a resort town which is gateway to almost all East African tourist attractions.
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