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The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Cathay Pacific Airways have announced a new joint initiative – DiscoverHongKong Mobile App Series. HKTB is one of the first NTO’s to develop augmented reality technology within smart phones for destination promotion.
HKTB Director for UK and Northern Europe Dawn Page said: “It is only natural for HKTB and Cathay Pacific to leverage off the growth and increased functionality of smart phone technology to promote the destination, and enrich the visitor experience. These mobile apps will help us promote Hong Kong’s extensive selection of shopping and dining options along with some of the signature events which help to make Hong Kong Asia’s World City.”
One of the new apps is “DiscoverHongKong AR”, which combines augmented reality with global positioning system (GPS) and the smart phone’s camera. The camera is used as a viewer, and points of interest in the visitor’s vicinity will appear overlaid on the real-world views on the phone screen, together with the address, and transport routes.
The other application, “DiscoverHongKong City Walks”, leads visitors through four themed walking trails in Hong Kong and also includes maps, GPS and a search function.
iPhone users can download both applications from the Apple App Store for free, with Android versions launched later this year.
HKTB is collaborating with a leading Hong Kong Wi-Fi service provider to allow free access at over 8,000 hotspots for visitors to access DiscoverHongKong.com and download the travel applications onto their smart phones.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
