Currently available for iPhone and Android, the app is free to download and provides an interactive, invaluable source of information about events, attractions, shops, restaurants, accommodation and more. Users can find directions, opening times, prices and money saving vouchers that can be redeemed across the city.
The second phase of the app, which is now live in the App Store and Play Store, features a new calendar interface under the ‘What’s On’ section to help users discover the events that are taking place during their visit. A new ‘Getting to Bath’ section has been added, as well as a data re-structure to significantly improve loading time and create a faster user experience.
Users will now be able to view the main app content in French, German, Spanish and Italian as well as English. Due to the increasingly popularity of tablet devices, it will shortly be available for iPads and Android tablets too.
The app’s new features also offer a new set of powerful commercial opportunities for local businesses to maximise. Alongside banner adverts and featured listings to push businesses to the top of search results, the app also features new geo fencing technology to send location based messages to users. This enables a business to have a ‘virtual fence’ drawn around their location, sending a targeted message to any app user that walks within a set distance of their premises.
Nick Brooks-Sykes, Chief Executive of Bath Tourism Plus, commented: “I am delighted that Bath is at the forefront of providing relevant, up to date visitor information in a range of formats. Alongside our Visitor Information Centre and visitbath.co.uk website – which are both amongst the busiest in the country – we can now boast the most popular destination App download. I am delighted that the app is proving so popular with visitors: Bath businesses now need to take advantage of the marketing opportunities that this new technology presents: there are lots of ways in which business can benefit. This is another example of how partnership between Bath Tourism Plus and Bath BID is delivering tangible results for business in the city.”
Andrew Cooper, Manager of Bath Business Improvement District, added: “One of the BID’s key objectives is to promote the city and modern technology plays a pivotal role in doing this. It is fantastic to see that the app is proving popular among visitors and residents, and we are confident that the upgraded app will encourage even more people to visit Bath this summer and make the most of their time here.
The App has been designed and upgraded by Dublin-based company iGuide Mobile Applications Ltd. Derick Murphy, director of iGuide Mobile Applications, said: “This update gives the user a major upgrade in terms of speed and usability. Our brief was that the ‘Official Bath App should provide a solution that allows Bath to truly connect people, places and culture’ and with the delivery of this update, we are confident that we have achieved this.
“We are not resting on our laurels, and we are currently working on some further updates to the app, which will enhance the user-experience and provide Bath Tourism Plus and Bath BID with features to directly connect with local residents and tourists.”
Developments for the next stage of the app are already well underway to incorporate two interactive trails themed on film locations and sites of historical interest around the city. Future developments also aim to include live parking information, allowing users to see how many spaces are available in each car park.
The Official Bath App is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
No comments:
Post a Comment