Successful Collaboration Produces Tourist-friendly App

Cebu Guide, a comprehensive travel guide, is the result of the collaboration between Smart Telecommunications, InnoPub Media and Cebu Provincial Government.

This guide, packaged as an app, was formally launched last Sept. 4 at the Capitol. The launch was led by Provinical Information Officer Ethel Natera and InnoPub Media co-founder Max Limpag.

The app was released as part of the nationwide Digital Tourism program of SMART and InnoPub Media in collaboration with the local government units and private organizations. The program was recognized with an Anvil Award of Merit at the 49th Anvil Awards in 2014.

Cebu Guide features useful information for tourists, with topics ranging from heritage structures, resorts to island hopping destinations.

Features and Utility

This free app can be used both online and offline and uses the Quick Response code embedded in every tourist attraction and tourist spots to provide information.

Its notification system is also a reliable source of data, which updates the user with the newest tourism packages whenever available.

Bisaya 101, one of the app’s unique features, teaches the tourists some conversational phrases they can use to communicate with the locals when they travel.

Cebu Guide is also equipped with a list of Department of Tourism-accredited tour guides as well as emergency contacts like police and hospitals. This was also made available to the delegates of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu #APECCEBU #APEC2015 on August 22-September 11.

One-touch guide

Utilizing GPS data, the user only needs to tap the “Check Location” link feature on the app to be guided on how to reach a particular destination. Contact details of tour guides and operators are also found.

Cebu Guide has a been receiving positive reviews from its users with a rating for 4.6/5.0 from Android users alone.

Few days before the launch, nearly 2,000 active installations outside the Philippines were detected. The phones that installed the app were in various languages, including Deutsche, Swedish and Scandanavian.

“This initiative is part of our efforts with our Digital Tourism program to enhance the delivery of tourism information,” Smart Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto said.

The app is available for both Android and iOS users. It can be downloaded at Google Play Store and Apple App Store for free.

www.cebu.gov.ph