Technology provider Discover Anywhere Mobile is pinning its hopes on a combined enthusiasm for social networks and mobile by consumers will be enough to see DMOs embrace the mobile channel.
The Toronto-based company has developed a new mobile service for DMOs which it claims has moved the standard travel app beyond content search, mapping and information to an integrated social travel app based on a particular destination.
The system works by allowing users to interact with other travellers through the app via Facebook and Twitter and also directly with the DMO.
Users will be able to share content automatically on maps using geolocation tools as well as automatically upload onto their various social networks of choice.
In addition there is a specific link to the DMO to ask questions about a particular part of a destination, service or product as well as the ability to automatically #hashtag location-based messages into Twitter and, in turn, monitor and connect the user to others in the area.
Although the individual components and bits of functionality are not new, it is combination of them all into one service which is exciting DEM president David Janes.
He says the app will also be shortly be equipped with a number of augmented reality tools.
“What we are doing is connecting the loop between people using the app and the DMOs in a far more interesting way than before,” he adds.
Six undisclosed US DMOs have signed agreements to launch the app in early-2010, although Janes is hoping that all will make the product free to users from the app store.
This new social functionality on their next version will close the gap that I wrote about in my comments to Stephen’s post yesterday. It will make this a very compelling tool to use for real-time communication both with members of the visitors network and with the DMO and its partners. Very cool!