The municipality of South Dundas in the Canadian province of Ontario has unveiled an innovative new tourism app that uses gamification and interactive tools to boost tourism in the region.
The 'Tourism Pursuit' app saw nine students from the game programming department at St. Lawrence College spend over three months dedicating their newly absorbed knowledge to develop the app, which blends mobile engagement with real-world interactions with tourism destinations. Specifically, destinations listed on the app have signs with special QR codes which, when scanned, enable app users to earn badges and win access to detailed information about the destination and related games.
From beaches, parks and cherry-picking farms to churches, vineyards and conservation areas, tourism locations across the South Dundas municipality will now be listed on this unique tourism app, which represents novel use of app-based platforms to boost local tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the use of students to develop the app represents an innovative way to save costs for the local government while providing real-world experience to budding game and app programmers and developers.
Gamified Tourism Apps
This App Aims to Boost Local Tourism in Canada's South Dundas Region
Trend Themes
1. Gamified Tourism - The use of interactive tools to enhance tourism in an engaging, fun, and memorable way can make a destination more attractive, specially in post-pandemic times.
2. QR Code Engagement - QR codes can bridge the digital-physical divide, offering a unique and interactive experience to tourists, which can be expanded for a range of industries and products.
3. Student-led Development - The use of student or intern programs to develop apps, sites, or platforms can provide innovative solutions for industries facing new challenges while offering hands-on mentorship and practical experience.
Industry Implications
1. Tourism & Hospitality - Gamified experiences, QR codes, and targeted apps can attract and retain on-site and remote visitors, improving revenue, engagement, and operational efficiency.
2. Education & Training - Using real-life projects as part of curricula or internships can enhance skills and bridge the gap between education and practical applications while supporting local economies and public service.
3. Entertainment & Media - Converging game mechanics with mobile apps and other media forms can create immersive experiences that foster engagement and loyalty, particularly among younger audiences.