Capitol taps mobile app for digital tourism project

The Capitol building built in the 1940s is one of the areas in Cebu where quick response (QR) markers are installed so that tourists can download information about the area by using their smartphones

A mobile application that provides guides and information on Cebu’s historical and tourist destinations in one’s fingertips is being promoted by the Cebu provincial government in cooperation with its developer.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III signed a memorandum of understanding with Cebu-based media startup InnoPub Media for the Digital Tourism project in the province.

“The province supports the private sector in their initiatives to develop tourism, which we see tourism as a key industry and an effective trigger to economic development. (This) partnership is a big step towards this direction,” Davide said.

“This (mobile app) will make it easier and more convenient for them. No more need for maps, printed guides because everything they need to know can be found on their mobile phones,” Davide said.

Max Limpag, co-founder of InnoPub, said the mobile app will deliver timely, accurate and relevant information on tourism, history and culture.
“With proper context and correct information about a certain place, visits become more memorable and meaningful,” he said.

Digital Tourism is a nationwide campaign by InnoPub Media and SMART Communications, Inc.. The project was pioneered in Cebu and is now in Iloilo and Baguio.

The project involves the production of mobile applications and electronic books (e-books) as tour guides to Cebu province and key tourism areas.
It also includes the deployment of interactive tourism markers that use quick response (QR) codes and near field communication (NFC) chips to download information about tourism and historical sites or structures.

Last Tuesday, QR markers were installed in front of the provincial government’s main building where people can access information on the history of the structure, photos of it taken in 1940, and the story behind the provincial seal, among others.

The project was implemented in Carcar City and Argao last year. The digital tourism team, in coordination with the Capitol, plans to expand to other areas in the province.

The availability of a Cebu Guide, downloadable from the Google Play Store or accessed via mobile web at https://cebu.myguide.ph for other mobile platforms, was also announced yesterday.

The mobile guide to Cebu provides tourists comprehensive information on where to go, what to do, where to stay and what to eat. It also includes articles on heritage sites and historical churches in the province.

The app is free to download. It will also be offered as guide to delegates of next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit meetings in Cebu.