Comments on: A New Tourism Paradigm? http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/ Newsletter on-line commentary and discussion about tourism in South Africa Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:23:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Steve Porter http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-623 Steve Porter Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:40:14 +0000 http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-623 Martin - your article is a breath of fresh air. We have recently launched a Cape Town inner city cycle tour and from the outset the goal was storytelling and entertainment. During our research I was gob smacked by the lack of literature out there that is based on stories. There is plethora of date-based books but very few stories. It has taken months of research but I think we are ready. Storytelling - it is a skill and one you cannot get a qualification for but it is as you say vital and a key differentiator. Onwards..... Martin - your article is a breath of fresh air.

We have recently launched a Cape Town inner city cycle tour and from the outset the goal was storytelling and entertainment. During our research I was gob smacked by the lack of literature out there that is based on stories. There is plethora of date-based books but very few stories. It has taken months of research but I think we are ready.

Storytelling - it is a skill and one you cannot get a qualification for but it is as you say vital and a key differentiator. Onwards…..

]]> By: Pierre van der Hoven http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-484 Pierre van der Hoven Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:54:13 +0000 http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-484 Martin I totally agree - it is precisely what SA Direct is trying to achieve - making the authentic African story accessible to global audiences. Audio visual long form content (video) is the way of the future. The story (content) is step one. The next step is to get as many people as possible to actually have access to the story (distribution). The 2010 FIFA World Cup represents a unique opportunity to capitalize in the interest in our region. The internet is also increasingly becoming video focused which represents an increasingly important and cost effective way of distributing your story. The tourism industry must move quickly - get your story on video now! Martin I totally agree - it is precisely what SA Direct is trying to achieve - making the authentic African story accessible to global audiences. Audio visual long form content (video) is the way of the future. The story (content) is step one. The next step is to get as many people as possible to actually have access to the story (distribution). The 2010 FIFA World Cup represents a unique opportunity to capitalize in the interest in our region. The internet is also increasingly becoming video focused which represents an increasingly important and cost effective way of distributing your story. The tourism industry must move quickly - get your story on video now!

]]> By: John Haycock http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-483 John Haycock Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:30:49 +0000 http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-483 Story telling is a great idea, Martin! Let me tell you of our different way. You may well know David Juritz a highly-talented Cape Town musician. He's particularly famous for his FERDINAND THE BULL, which he tells with his own violin accompaniment. Last year we started running a series of annual concerts for our charity Footballs For Fun, which you so kindly support. And who should be the ideaL person to help us tell one of the most famous African stories, HOW THE WARTHOG GOT ITS TAIL? You've got it. In front of a capacity audience in St Martin-in-the-Fields, he and his brother told this lovely story with great humour, both verbally and musically. It's a great way to take Africa to the potential market! Story telling is a great idea, Martin! Let me tell you of our different way. You may well know David Juritz a highly-talented Cape Town musician. He’s particularly famous for his FERDINAND THE BULL, which he tells with his own violin accompaniment.
Last year we started running a series of annual concerts for our charity Footballs For Fun, which you so kindly support. And who should be the ideaL person to help us tell one of the most famous African stories, HOW THE WARTHOG GOT ITS TAIL? You’ve got it.
In front of a capacity audience in St Martin-in-the-Fields, he and his brother told this lovely story with great humour, both verbally and musically.
It’s a great way to take Africa to the potential market!

]]> By: Brian Segal http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-482 Brian Segal Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:35:10 +0000 http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-482 Have you tried using a GreatGuide, www.greatguide.co.za ( a GPS navigator, tour guide, recommendation guide and itinerary planner all in one) It is packed with wonderful stories. From why the Durban city hall has a fire place in every room (no not because of climate change), to the Ghost story of Boontjieskraal, the shipwreck of the Merriman, Why Langa was formed and much much more ( in fact we have over 1800 sound bites). If you feel you have a story that you want told on the GreatGuide please mail it to us. brian@greatguide.co.za Have you tried using a GreatGuide, http://www.greatguide.co.za ( a GPS navigator, tour guide, recommendation guide and itinerary planner all in one) It is packed with wonderful stories. From why the Durban city hall has a fire place in every room (no not because of climate change), to the Ghost story of Boontjieskraal, the shipwreck of the Merriman, Why Langa was formed and much much more ( in fact we have over 1800 sound bites). If you feel you have a story that you want told on the GreatGuide please mail it to us. brian@greatguide.co.za

]]> By: Warren Marks http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-481 Warren Marks Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:31:33 +0000 http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/a-new-tourism-paradigm/#comment-481 Martin, I have been a tour guide since 1995 and now I run a small tour operation. Stories have always been an integral part of the way I do my tours. Maybe it would be a great thing if tour guide colleges would teach stories instead of the huge amount of 'facts' currently forced into the brain of prospective guides. Tour guides would then qualify on their ability to tell stories and not on the ability to regurgitate facts. Story tellers are becoming hard to find. Take care Martin, I have been a tour guide since 1995 and now I run a small tour operation. Stories have always been an integral part of the way I do my tours. Maybe it would be a great thing if tour guide colleges would teach stories instead of the huge amount of ‘facts’ currently forced into the brain of prospective guides. Tour guides would then qualify on their ability to tell stories and not on the ability to regurgitate facts. Story tellers are becoming hard to find.
Take care

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