Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified service provider to design, develop, provide, and maintain a comprehensive website and revenue collection system for the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) over a period of three years. The project aims to enhance destination marketing, facilitate online revenue collection, and develop integrated digital platforms including databases for tourism products and tour guides, content management, and digital marketing services.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Design and development of a bespoke, mobile-responsive destination marketing website emphasizing local and unique experiences, content marketing, and stakeholder engagement.
• Integration of e-commerce functionalities with global distribution systems for revenue collection.
• Development of tourism trade and tour guide registration databases.
• Content creation, migration, and management, including multimedia content such as videos and images.
• Implementation of digital marketing strategies across multiple channels, including social media integration.
• Support, maintenance, and hosting of the website and related portals, with disaster recovery plans ensuring RTO of 60 minutes and RPO of 15 minutes.
• Development of additional features such as scenic routes, wildlife, cultural heritage, adventure activities, and business tourism modules.
• Implementation of a comprehensive revenue management system, including online booking, point-of-sale, stock control, and conference management modules, initially piloted at Manyeleti Nature Reserve.
• Phased project execution over three years, with potential extensions based on performance.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications include:

• Development of a bespoke, secure, and scalable website using technologies such as PHP, MySQL, AJAX, JavaScript, CSS, and Bootstrap—avoiding open-source CMS frameworks like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Laravel, and SharePoint.
• Hosting in a Tier 3 data center with daily backups, disaster recovery plans with RTO of 60 minutes, and RPO of 15 minutes, utilizing multiple backup locations including cloud and secondary data centers.
• Integration with external systems such as global distribution systems, payment gateways, CRM, accounting, telephony, and access control systems.
• Implementation of SEO, analytics, social media, and content management functionalities.
• Support for multi-language, multi-device, and responsive design to ensure optimal user experience across all platforms.
• Development of a secure, user-friendly content management system tailored to MTPA’s needs, including role-based access and content workflows.

Skills Requirements

The successful bidder must demonstrate:

• Proven expertise as a full-service digital agency with experience in designing and developing destination marketing websites and digital platforms for tourism or similar sectors.
• Strong strategic thinking in digital marketing, emerging media, analytics, and content development.
• Technical proficiency in bespoke website development using PHP, MySQL, AJAX, JavaScript, and related technologies, with a track record of delivering secure, scalable, and award-winning digital solutions.
• Experience in integrating complex systems such as e-commerce, global distribution, CRM, and payment gateways.
• Capacity to provide ongoing support, maintenance, and hosting, including disaster recovery planning and data security management.
• Ability to work collaboratively with MTPA’s marketing, IT, and operational teams, including attending status meetings and providing detailed project plans and reports.
• Demonstrated experience in content migration, SEO optimization, analytics, and digital marketing strategy implementation.
• Qualified personnel with relevant degrees or diplomas in IT, Web Development, Multimedia, or related fields, with a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in digital agency services.