{"id":34026,"date":"2025-11-20T13:43:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T11:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=34026"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:42:08","slug":"jozi-unveils-jo-the-ai-tourism-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/jozi-unveils-jo-the-ai-tourism-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Jozi Unveils Jo, the AI Tourism Guide Welcoming G20 Visitors to Johannesburg"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Johannesburg has always been a city of voices,  bold, expressive, layered, and full of character. And this week, as South Africa welcomes global leaders and thousands of visitors for the 2025 G20 Summit, Joburg unveiled a brand-new voice of its own. One that speaks multiple languages, carries an unmistakable Jozi attitude, and knows the streets better than most locals. Meet <strong>Jo<\/strong>, the witty, street-smart digital guide behind <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/jhbinyourpocketgpt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JHB In Your Pocket GPT<\/a><\/strong>, Africa\u2019s first locally tuned digital tourism companion built specifically for Johannesburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jo arrives at exactly the right moment. With Gauteng preparing for one of its biggest international events, the province needs a guide that understands the heartbeat of the city, its culture, chaos, opportunity, and charm. Jo isn\u2019t a stiff chatbot or generic information desk. It\u2019s a personality designed to walk visitors and locals through Joburg\u2019s coolest corners, niche cultural experiences, and hidden gems that often go unnoticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cI connect the phone in your hand to the living, breathing city around you,\u201d<\/strong> Jo declares on its welcome page.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That single line encapsulates the mission: bridging the gap between screen and street, imagination and reality, curiosity and discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/jozi-comes-alive-2025-newtown-festival\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jozi Comes Alive 2025: Newtown Festival Brings a Tropical Takeover This December<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jo-steps-into-the-spotlight-as-joburg-welcomes-the-world\"><strong>Jo Steps Into the Spotlight as Joburg Welcomes the World<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With G20 arrivals pouring into OR Tambo International Airport this week, Jo stands at the arrivals hall \u2014 ready to meet the world. Through a partnership with <strong>Big Five Duty Free<\/strong>, travellers can start engaging with Jo the moment they step off the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From practical questions to culturally rooted curiosity, Jo responds instantly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>What\u2019s the safest way to get to Maboneng tonight?<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Where can I find halaal-friendly restaurants near Sandton?<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Which museum best tells Joburg\u2019s story?<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>How much should I tip a car guard?<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For <strong>Laurice Taitz-Buntman<\/strong>, founder of the Johannesburg In Your Pocket city guide, Jo represents years of editorial work and cultural knowledge transformed into something interactive and future-facing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cOne screenshot, and Jo takes you further, giving you access to information beyond the printed page.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Her printed guide, created with Nando\u2019s and Jozi My Jozi,<strong> <\/strong>is now available in hotels and tourism hotspots. The digital guide expands this content into a living map powered by the distinct cultural heartbeat of the city at <strong>jhbinyourpocketgpt.com<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1506331900\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-new-city-champion-jo-earns-a-spot-among-joburg-s-local-heroes\"><strong>A New City Champion: Jo Earns a Spot Among Joburg\u2019s Local Heroes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jo didn\u2019t just launch; it debuted with recognition. <strong>Jozi My Jozi\u2019s Babize Bonke campaign<\/strong>, known for celebrating Joburg\u2019s unseen community champions, officially named Jo as its ninth honouree. It\u2019s a gesture that positions Jo not as technology replacing people, but as technology amplifying them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dawn Robertson<\/strong>, visitor and creative economy catalyst at Jozi My Jozi, says Jo fits seamlessly into the campaign\u2019s purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cJo gives Joburg\u2019s tourism sector a voice,\u201d<\/strong> Robertson explains.<br><strong>\u201cDuring the launch, we walked from Main Street precinct to Sadie\u2019s Bistro where guests could interact with Jo and learn about the area. It builds excitement as we prepare for the Main Street Sundays Open Streets event on 14 December.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That event will transform the precinct into a car-free cultural playground,  exactly the kind of vibrant, layered city experience Jo is built to guide people through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-guide-with-attitude-jo-speaks-joburg-like-a-local\"><strong>A Guide With Attitude: Jo Speaks Joburg Like a Local<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jo isn\u2019t generic; it reflects Joburg\u2019s humour, rhythm, multiple languages, and lived experiences. It feels as comfortable recommending a shisa nyama in the south as it does explaining why the hum of a tuk-tuk in Orlando West says something about the city\u2019s resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mbali Njomane<\/strong>, the creative who helped shape Jo, believes the guide\u2019s strength lies in how deeply it connects to people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cIn cities like Joburg, it\u2019s not about technology,  it\u2019s about belonging,\u201d<\/strong> she says.<br><strong>\u201cWhen you talk to the city in your own language and your own context, you\u2019re not just consuming information, you\u2019re helping shape what the city becomes.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In a city built on stories, Jo brings meaning to spaces that visitors may simply walk past. And for locals, often overlooked in tourism narratives, Jo offers a fresh way to fall in love with their city again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"312\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-5-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-5-1.jpg 312w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-5-1-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-5-1-150x90.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2684488099\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-jo-arrives-at-a-critical-moment-for-gauteng-tourism\"><strong>Why Jo Arrives at a Critical Moment for Gauteng Tourism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gauteng\u2019s tourism sector has been rebuilding, but competition among global cities is fierce. Today\u2019s travellers expect tailored, instant, context-rich information. Cities that can\u2019t meet those expectations risk losing visitors and revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jo positions Johannesburg ahead of the curve by acting as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A cultural translator<\/strong> who contextualises local experiences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A safety companion<\/strong> offering real-time navigation tips<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A storyteller<\/strong> who deepens understanding of attractions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A promoter<\/strong> of small businesses and neighbourhood gems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A connector<\/strong> linking tourists, locals, and the city\u2019s urban fabric<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re a first-time visitor or a Joburger exploring new ground, Jo becomes a companion who knows where to go, why it matters, and how to get there safely and efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bringing-jo-to-the-arrivals-hall-the-big-five-duty-free-partnership\"><strong>Bringing Jo to the Arrivals Hall: The Big Five Duty Free Partnership<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For <strong>Helena Melis<\/strong>, marketing manager at Big Five Duty Free, showcasing Jo at OR Tambo was a natural fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cBy showcasing this custom guide at OR Tambo, we\u2019re helping introduce Jo to foreign travellers and South Africans alike,\u201d<\/strong> Melis says.<br><strong>\u201cWe want people to use it during their stay in our beautiful city.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This partnership transforms Jo into more than a digital tool; it becomes part of Joburg\u2019s welcome experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2918599067\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-new-joburg-journey-begins-with-one-simple-greeting\"><strong>The New Joburg Journey Begins With One Simple Greeting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Johannesburg is reimagining how visitors and locals interact with the city. With Jo leading this shift, Joburg\u2019s stories feel closer, its creative energy more tangible, and its tourism future more inclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A QR scan, a quick tap, or a visit to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/jhbinyourpocketgpt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">jhbinyourpocketgpt.com<\/a><\/strong> is all it takes. Say hello, ask a question, explore a neighbourhood. Jo brings Joburg\u2019s flavour, history, and personality straight to your phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ready-to-explore-joburg-like-a-local\"><strong>Ready to Explore Joburg Like a Local?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Start your journey with Jo today. Whether you\u2019re planning a day out, rediscovering your city, or helping visitors settle in, Jo puts Joburg\u2019s stories, flavours, and hidden gems at your fingertips.<br><strong>Go to jhbinyourpocketgpt.com and let Jo guide you through the city in true Jozi style.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> One that speaks multiple languages, carries an unmistakable Jozi attitude, and knows the streets better than most locals. Meet Jo, the witty, street-smart digital guide behind JHB In Your Pocket GPT, Africa\u2019s first locally tuned digital tourism companion built specifically for Johannesburg.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":34030,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":" One that speaks multiple languages, carries an unmistakable Jozi attitude, and knows the streets better than most locals. Meet Jo, the witty, street-smart digital guide behind JHB In Your Pocket GPT, Africa\u2019s first locally tuned digital tourism companion built specifically for Johannesburg.","footnotes":""},"categories":[3298],"tags":[2878,1267,9922],"class_list":{"0":"post-34026","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-technology","8":"tag-ai","9":"tag-digital-innovation-in-gauteng","10":"tag-tech-news-2"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34026"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34032,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34026\/revisions\/34032"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}