Hotelier Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) on Thursday launched the tourism industry first integrated mobile and internet application in a bid to promote domestic tourism by improving accessibility.

The application, RTG Gateway, allows users to browse, book and pay for services such as accommodation in hotels, lodges and homes around Zimbabwe, with additional services such as paying for meals and airport transfers.

Chief executive Tendai Madziwanyika said the application targets both locals and those in diaspora.

“We are not only targeting the local market but the diaspora market as well. Statistics from the International Organisation of Immigration (IOM) estimate that 4 million Zimbabwean are living outside the country,” said Madziwanyika.

In 2014, RTG pioneered the domestic tourism drive when it launched the RTG Virtual platform. Last year, business worth $1,5 million was channelled to RTG Virtual partner hotels, with the group retaining an average of 10 percent commission, Madziwanyika added.

Payments for bookings will be processed through the Paynow platform, using Visa, Mastercard, Zimswitch cards as well as mobile platforms Ecocash and Telecash.

-Source