Maginley Touts New Digital Platform for Ministry

Details

Tourism News

Wednesday, 09 January 2013 02:30

By Carol Williams

Antigua, St. John's - Tourism Minister John Maginley has spoken in glowing terms of plans to revolutionise the way the ministry operates, through the launch of a digital platform that will combine its websites into an integrated online strategy.

He said the aim is to create "a leading digital presence globally to promote the country in existing and new markets".

Details of the initiative were given on Tuesday as Maginley opened day two of debate on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure in the House of Representatives.

The minister said the English language version of the site would be launched within weeks, with another seven to be introduced sometime after. These include Russian, Italian, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.

"Included in our roadmap, Madame Speaker, is a brand new global website, integrated social media, and world-class user experience," he said.

The tourism minister said the site will have geo-tracking capabilities, allowing automatic recognition of the country a browser is from, and switching to the relevant language.

The latest video technology would also be utilised, he told parliamentarians.

To shore up its marketing campaign, Maginley said a deal has been signed with Earth Television for the placement of two cameras in Antigua, allowing for live streaming on the site.

In exchange, the country has to pay for the related internet and power costs.

"If we are the leaders in this thing, it will make a difference," he said.

The minister also said the 60 small properties built during the World Cup Incentives programme, and others, would be able to advertise on the site.

"We'll give them an opportunity to present themselves to the entire world on one platform," he noted.

It was not stated how much this digital platform would cost the government.

Responding to the charges levied by the Leader of the Opposition on Monday in his contribution to the debate, Maginley accused Gaston Browne of creating his own facts.

He tore into a proposal put forward by Browne for government land to be sold for about $1 per square foot, and said this was irresponsible governing and "regurgitated junk".

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