E- Learning and Digital Marketing Seminar, 22-24 February 2017

E-LEARNING AND DIGITAL MARKETING SEMINAR, 22-24 FEBRUARY 2017

The Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) in collaboration with Flow Communications hosted an E-Learning and Digital Marketing Seminar in Johannesburg from the 22nd to 24th of February, 2017.

The Seminar’s programme was specifically structured to focus on current trends, best practices and case studies in Digital and Social Marketing. It aimed to guide delegates on how to create innovative and cost effective Digital and Social Media Marketing strategies with action plans that could be employed to gain competitive advantage for their destinations, products, facilities and businesses. Some of the key topics discussed included:

•RETOSA E-Learning training

RETOSA’s E-Learning programme was launched last year. It is an online programme aimed at providing stakeholders in the Tourism industry with relevant information about the tourism landscape in Southern Africa. Delegates were given one-on-one practical training on the online programme with the hope that delegates will use these acquired skills to further train travel operators, tour guides, etc. in their respective countries. (Visit to register and complete the modules).

•Digital and Social Media Marketing Analytics and Measurements

Delegates received training in the different methods used to measure their social media impact and how to understand the analytical aspect of this impact.

•Expert Presentations: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Google

Prior to understanding how to measure their social media impact, delegates were taught how to efficiently use the different social media avenues so as to thoroughly benefit from them and transform their tourism businesses.

•Southern Africa travel and tourism bloggers interface

Bloggers are an integral part of tourism marketing and development in the Southern African region and delegates were able to explore the impact blogging has on marketing their businesses, events and any important updates.

The topics mentioned above, amongst others, did not only involve experts making presentations but delegates were given a chance to gain some practical experience such as completing the E-Learning online modules and setting up their social media accounts.

“Experts at the Seminar shared knowledge, competencies, tools and resources required to meet the current and future demands of the Digital economy with key focus on destination marketing, travel, tourism and hospitality”, said Mr. Kwakye Donkor, Marketing and Communications Director at RETOSA. Some of the key speakers included Ms. Tara Turkington, CEO at Flow Communications, Kwakye Donkor, Marketing and Communications Director at RETOSA and key representatives from Facebook, Twitter, Google, Expedia, WAYN.com and RETOSA Member States. By the end of the Seminar, delegates had gained a clear understanding of the value of Digital and Social Media Marketing and why this is a vital component of the overall marketing strategy for all Destination Marketing Organisations, tourism establishments and the entire tourism value chain.