Nelspruit - The final 2010 Visitor Information Centre (VIC), which will ensure tourists arriving in the city for the 2010 FIFA World Cup get the best advice and information, has been opened in Mpumalanga.
Opening the centre on Monday, Deputy Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa said the Nelspruit VIC concludes the department's national project to launch such centres in five 2010 Host Cities located in provinces that were less visited by tourists.
VICs were launched in Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Rustenburg.
Xasa said operators should take advantage of the rare opportunity to market their products at a place "we can call a one-stop information hub".
The 412 square metre Nelspruit VIC was built at a cost of R7 million and it features a lobby area, information counter and display area, booking area, area for tour operators, administration offices and boardroom, interpretive/multi-purpose space, training facility, internet stations with server room, visitors lounge and ablution facilities.
The five VICs, which cost R34.3 million, boasts of a locally developed information and reservation system tailored to cater for the South African market.
All the VICs are intended to provide a one-stop information service to tourists on a wide range of aspects including information enquiries, reservations, accommodation, tours, vehicle hire, entertainment, dining, sports, adventure, shopping and travel tips.
