E-Tourism Frontiers is planning to host a two days conference in Nairobi to discuss on ways to improve tourism in East Africa through the internet.

E-tourism Executive Officer Domian Cook said this would ensure that the region benefits from the sector by exploiting opportnities through online travel solutions. He added that most people currently use the social media in the internet to acquire information about various destinations.

The company which provides services to the tourism sector has launched online reservation system where individuals will not only book Hotels online but also learn about different tourist attractions in various parts of the world.

“We will be improving the online reservation system that will allow for hotels to be included on our Easy Travel Site. We are especially focused on the domestic real time using M-PESA “

Domian added that over 1 billion people are online and that most users are aged between 11-31 who grew up with computers and internet.

A survey conducted by E-Tourism showed that 95% of the travelers use the internet as their primary source of information. However this opportunity has not been utilized well in the Middle East, Africa and  Latin America due to lack of E-Commerce and available inventory.

E-Tourism is partnering with KCB bank to facilitated the success of the project which aims at increasing foreign exchange from tourism in the region.

Speaking during the press briefing KCB Divisional Director Treasury David Thuo said that they will work together with E-Tourism to provide services to its clients.

“ The tourism sector is hugely important to the growth of the region's economies. The online booking allows for online transactions and reservations that are ingredients needed for the future of tourism across East Africa”

The conference which has been scheduled for 2^nd and 3^rd September will provide platform for marketing East Africa's tourist attractions  and hence increase travelers to the region.

Story by Justus Kemboi