- • Rustenburg
- • Polokwane
- • Mangaung (Bloemfontein)
- • Port Elizabeth
- • Nelspruit
All of these cities' VICs are complete and fully functional. The official launches were held from July to November 2009 and were presided over by the Minister (Port Elizabeth and Polokwane), Marthinus van Schalkwk and Deputy Minister of Tourism (Port Elizabeth, Rustenburg, Nelspruit and Mangaung), Tokozile Xasa.
The information and reservation system used in the VICs was developed in South Africa. The Visitor Information Centre Enterprise Network System (VICENSYS) is designed to facilitate access to the market by SMME’s and is owner managed – a fundamental shift in tourism information.
The best practice model for the VIC includes the following functional areas:
• Information/help desk
• Internet stations
• Dynamic electronic displays
• Brochure display areas
• Trading area/kiosk
• Coffee shop
• Interactive displays (touch screens)
• Call centre
• Boardroom
• Visitors lounge
These VICs often serve as vital first points of contact with visitors and provides a platform for value adding engagements with regard to information and reservations. The VICs also feed squarely into local economic development initiatives with a strong concessionary model to ensure sustainability.
