2012-08-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — In a digitally-connected world, Bath Tourism is embracing mobile technology to launch its very own mobile app to guide visitors around the city. Funded and developed by Bath Tourism Plus and Bath Business Improvement District (BID), the Official Bath App is available to download from the Google Play and iTunes stores from today (22nd August).
The free app, which will be available across both the Apple and Android platforms will promote the city, encourage visitors and provide an interactive and invaluable source of information for both tourists and locals alike.
Featuring impressive functionality, the Official Bath App includes a comprehensive directory of events, attractions, shops, restaurants and accommodation – providing the user with directions, opening times and prices to help plan their visit. The App will also contain a range of constantly changing deals and money saving vouchers that can be redeemed at businesses across the city.
Speaking about the new Official Bath App, Nick Brooks-Sykes, Chief Executive at Bath Tourism Plus said: “The Official Bath App will showcase Bath as an exceptional cultural and tourist focused city, with listings for all attractions and amenities in the area. Tourists will benefit from the App’s ability to work completely offline, negating the need for expensive roaming charges, but more importantly, it will function as an interactive ‘guide in your pocket’ and will provide access to a huge amount of information and guidance at the tip of their thumb.”
Other features within the App include the latest ‘Augmented Reality’ capability, enabling the user to explore the city and locate the best deals by using their phone’s camera. With built-in GPS mapping, a handy ‘Where am I’ is also able to pinpoint your exact location and detects things to see and do in your vicinity.
Andrew Cooper, Manager of Bath Business Improvement District, added: “The explosion in smartphone use has been spectacular. Nearly a third of internet use is now done via a smartphone or similar device and people are increasingly expecting to access information on the move.
“The App shows visitors and residents the city’s businesses, hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, great shops, stylish cafés, architectural landmarks and many other hotspots, highlights and locations.
“The development of the App would have not been possible without the funding from businesses through the BID. The partnership model of the BID working with Bath Tourism Plus means users of the App get a comprehensive picture of what is on offer. This contrasts with many other apps and websites, which are often light on content because not everyone participates. The fact that everyone has contributed makes the Bath App a fantastic free resource.”
The App has been built by Dublin based company iGuide Mobile Applications Ltd., providers of web and Smart-Phone Applications into the Tourism and Business Improvement District sector.
Derick Murphy, Director of iGuide Mobile Applications Ltd, says: “We recognised with Bath, that a world class tourism destination deserved a world class mobile application. We’re confident that the content and functionality of the Official Bath App delivers on this and provides a solution that allows Bath to truly connect people, places and culture.
“We are therefore delighted to be chosen to partner with Bath in the delivery of this solution, and look forward to working with Bath Tourism Plus and Bath BID over the coming years.”
The Official Bath App is available to download for free by searching for ‘visitbath’ on iTunes and the Google Play Store.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For further information please contact Audra McSherry at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 322434 or email: audra_mcsherry@bathtourism.co.uk or visit www.visitbath.co.uk, the official tourism website for Bath and the surrounding area.
Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath’s destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation’s top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath’s official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk
Bath BID
The Bath Business Improvement District (BID) was formed on 1st April 2011 and will run for five years to March 2016. Funded by businesses within a defined city centre catchment, the BID works in partnership with its levy payers and other organisations to add value and amplify activities and initiatives that without BID funding would not otherwise take place. The BID’s core priorities include improving the management of the city centre, promoting the city centre offer and the delivery of real savings for businesses in the BID area.
With 73% of BID levy payers comprising of retail and leisure sector, it is vital that we direct BID levy payer funding to effective marketing activity which will drive footfall and support this sector in the challenging economic landscape. With regional competition in the retail and leisure remaining strong, the BID funding allows new opportunities to articulate Bath’s unique visitor message to previously untapped markets.
This unified approach with Bath Tourism Plus ensures value for money for BID levy payers and clarity of message in expressing Bath’s offer.
iGuide
iGuide, is a cross-platform mobile phone App providing dynamic Geo located directory services to the user whilst delivering comprehensive marketing and promotional facilities to the represented business . The iGuide solution has been the product of choice for numerous BID and Tourism organisations.
The Apps ability to integrate content from a website through iGuide’s customised application interface, minimises the administrative overhead, and provides the ability to publish information instantly and efficiently to both Web and Mobile app users, through a single interface.
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