2019 COMMENDATION
BUSINESS:
Goingtoplaces.com
PRODUCT:
GoingtoplacesTourism App
AWARD CATEGORY:
Product or Service Design
INDUSTRY SECTOR:
Service - Tourism Experiences
DESIGN:
Geoffrey Dening, Mianne Bagger
EXPORTING to:
Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, inbound tourists
1: BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
Publishing national App ecosystem, including all states from 2019 to 2020. Designed from the 5 regional apps published since 2016. Launched integrated website and South Australia app ecosystem in May 2019 Exporting ecosystem building on interest from ASEAN Tech Challenge and Taiwan Tourism Innovation Award success since 2018.
2: DESIGN CHALLENGE:
Since 2012 in Australia's - Tourism Industry a specific decrease in using physical information, brochures and magazines. Tourists favour digital information. No relevant contemporary information and booking medium exists. Instead a spectrum of international websites with no cultural awareness. Taking $400 Million+ in fees annually from our economy. An under-funded national Visitor Information Centre network volunteer based (mostly digitally inept) front of house. Business brief – build the nation's digital tourism network. Combining, delivering information to international and domestic tourists, and sales function for 278,000 tourism businesses. Export the Ecosystem to other nations.
3: DESIGN SOLUTION:
From 5 regional apps published since 2016. Goingtoplaces.com's integrated national website and Australian app ecosystem was developed. Using the MVP data to build and establish a more effective operation. Subscription sales to businesses, funded the initiative. Convenience/Contemporary/Self Funding/Scaleable A large web audience is looking for Statewide information of activities not regional locations. Apps have an engaged audience, people use apps to book accommodation, meals, also purchase tickets to attractions, activities and events directly. Combing the two mediums with direct booking enabled the MVP to provide information and self fund. Enablingthe development of the app ecosystem to sell internationally and support the Australian Export Industry of Domestic Tourism to be better at connecting with the 8 million national (441,000 South Australian) international tourists.
4: DESIGN IMPACT:
The ecosystem customer base is the 8 million plus international tourists (= 1/3rd of Australia's population) plus the resident population. Austrade selected Geoffrey Dening to present at the ASEAN Tech Challenge in Sydney December 2018 to Singapore, Malaysia, and Philippines Businesses and also won through to the final 45 from 500 plus international entries in the 2019 Taiwan Tourism Innovation awards. Discussions continue Also nominated for a regional Small Business Department of Innovation and Tourism award 2019 Tourism businesses manage social media and their trading, We provide targeted web exposure, direct sales and no interference with their with business operators. Paper is unnecessary printed promotion is being pulped or disposed of incorrectly. Employing residents not outsourcing overseas creates more support for national tourism.
5: OTHER KEY FEATURES:
Incorporates business locations and direct mapping for travellers to find and visit events, experiences and activities. Direct Push Messages to users phones to promote events, activities and experiences. Video of sights, activities and events included for users to see what is on offer.