Tourism operators, particularly hoteliers, have been urged to maximise their online presence ahead of upcoming big events in the country, through the use of technology tools.

The advice was given, yesterday, at a workshop organised by Rwanda Development Board together with the Private Sector Federation’s tourism chamber.

Stakeholders in tourism sector, especially the hotel owners and managers, discussed how to take full advantage of online presence by using technology tools.

Belise Kariza, the chief tourism officer, said it was crucial that tourism operators adopted innovation and technology tools.

"We are looking at how to help hoteliers and other tourism operators to boost their businesses through the use of innovative technology tools. We want to see how we can push and place ourselves in online arena as the country trying to place itself as an ICT hub in the region,” she said.

During the workshop, officials from Booking.com, were invited to the session where they shared skills and experiences with local hoteliers.

Booking.com is a global online accommodations booking web site.

Kariza said it was an opportunity to have the group around, and that they expected great outcome.

"Once people understand, we will be able to get as much exposure as possible, and hoteliers will be able to market themselves without necessarily contacting particular individuals, customers will find them instead of the reverse,” she said.

Kariza stressed the need for quality services and products to be able to compete at international level.

Meanwhile, hotel owners, and managers, and tourism and hospitality training institutions, were tipped on the use of social media and other online platforms like Facebook, Twitter, to market their products to the wider audience.

"Think of online exposure you are going to get once you start engaging people through online platforms; the only ways to strengthening the brand position in a crowded marketplace, lift product profile, and promote attributes that support brand position, is through the adoption of online marketing tools,” said Sherlee Taylor, the regional manager of Booking.com.

Christian Ndagijimana, senior sales and marketing manager of Grand Legacy Hotel in Remera, Kigali, said operators still need awareness to know such online accommodation booking websites and other platforms that facilitate marketing.

"At times we don’t have much knowledge on which online platforms to put our brands. Many proprietors still need to be sensitised on the use of the online marketing strategies so they realise its impact,” Ndagijimana said.

While many other operators highlighted other issues like taxes on each product they put to the public, Kariza said government is working to devise strategies to ease constraints on the private sector.

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