Comments on: Is it time for your Travel App?

By: Disappointed

Disappointed — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:43:05 +0000

Sounds interesting but in reality unpractical.. unless roaming broadband prices drop. I will be spending a hundred dollars more if I am using roaming GPRS to access apps when I am travelling.

Actual Implementation may be more than 3-5 years away.

By: Brad Davis

Brad Davis — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:51:25 +0000

Hi Todd,

Like your thoughts on developing mobile apps for the travel industry over mobile friendly sites. To me the advantages and possibilities for a mobile app, especially in the travel industry, are endless.

Would love to get your thoughts and your readers on a article over on my blog – 5 iPhone App Marketing Tips For Your Brand & Business – http://bit.ly/4pII82

By: Celes Davar

Celes Davar — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:52:53 +0000

Todd,
In fact, while we were standing there in front of a heritage building, I used Google to access the name of the historical structure and of course a Google Map came up with the location of the building where we were standing. It was not Wikipedia, but we were able to then get the link to the story which I read out to my two colleagues while we stood in front of the building.

By: Todd Lucier

Todd Lucier — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:44:02 +0000

Celes, Now you are thinking like a handheld toting traveler. Nice to hear your dreams. They are not that far from reality. Imagine if the content in Wikipedia were accessible as you stood looking at a building or monument and what if this content was geolocated to a Google Map with streetview.

It’s closer than we think. Say Hello to Saint John, New Brunswick for me.

By: Celes Davar

Celes Davar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:38:58 +0000

Hey Todd,
Thanks for sharing your insights about apps for mobile devices. The three considerations and the Starwood Guest app helped me to make the link and understand “what might be”. You are good at helping us to see the possibilities – then, we turn ourselves inside out inventing the solutions to what might be, that make sense in our worlds……Today, I helped two people to make the shift to iPhone in ways that simplified their lives. Last night, we went for a late night walk in Saint John, using the iPhone to access information about historical buildings and structures (the story about them) to bring alive the late night walk…Imagine if I could have had an app for my “self-guided walk” that enabled me to “log my personal experience”.

What if the categories in the app included My Experiences, Audio links, Quick Links to other ways to experience history and culture, my memories, my photos, my videos, my story, maybe even connecting to Bento to capture my travel experience in notes that I could use to paint a picture or write a story for a local paper when I go back home.
Cheers
Celes

By: Todd Lucier

Todd Lucier — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:55:30 +0000

Thanks Trevor,
Not sure we need experts, I think we need experience with handheld devices and applications! Then we need to put on our traveler hat and think like our ideal guest.
Of course we need experts to help us out… once we understand our clients needs and match that with our content stream.
I think most people think mobile is tremendously difficult and that it is something that is way out there in the future. Its simply not true. I think of the loyalty edge that organizations will have with their mobile customers and can’t help but throw myself into designing something new right now! Calling all coders, I’ve got a hot project that I think will inspire others small tourism operators to do something in mobile… heck, it might even be a template for others to follow. Stay tuned.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:04:59 +0000

I believe that for destinations and operators to fully leverage the great opportunity of mobile marketing they need to establish their mobile strategies now. (and if you need help, ask for it)

A mobile app is a great tool within the toolbox of mobile marketing and there are many benefits to getting one now (less clutter in the market place, PR advantages, establishing your brand before someone else does). But, as is true with all mobile marketing, Apps are not an island, they need to be integrated.

I recommend that destinations and operators start the conversation about mobile with experts in the field. Mobile is a different beast than internet marketing and needs to be treated as such. For the most part in travel, the potential for this channel has been untapped. I predict that 2010 will bring many new innovations in communication and revenue streams for business that start to embrace mobile strategically now.