Firm has mobile guide for tourist attraction
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 11:00AM by Nick Rabbits, Limerick Leader
A CITY firm which specialises in providing bluetooth content to mobile phone users has teamed up with researchers at UL to offer a free application for use at a top tourist destination.
Mobanode, which operates out of the Enterprise Acceleration Centre in the Limerick Institute of Technology, has signed a deal with the Caherconnell Stone Fort which means tourists heading for the Co Clare location can access a free visitor guide which includes an interactive map, audio and visual supports.
Shane McAllister, founder of Mobanode, said he hopes this new development - which has been brought about following research from UL into technology usage in the tourism sector - will lead to their company engaging at other tourist destinations across Ireland.
The firm has already supplied free content to mobile users at a number of blue chip events, including the Heineken Music Festival, and the Top Gear Live event at Dublin's RDS.
"Mobile is the ideal platform for content like this. Your phone is your constant companion, always with you, and always on and capable of so much more than the humble phone call," Mr McAllister said.
He also pointed out the application was popular because it was free no matter what country you come from, saying: "Bluetooth is ideal for any tourism related concept. No network is required which is a must for any roaming tourist."
It was following the end of the UL research - conducted by an interdisciplinary team of researchers and funded by Failte Ireland - that Mr McAllister met with the owner of Caherconnell Stone Fort, John Davoren and struck up a partnership with him.
Dr Martin Hayes of the Wireless Access Research Centre at the University of Limerick said: "Our investigations into the use of technology at visitor attractions suggest that future innovation will feature mobile as a cornerstone. In the past, tourist attractions relied on bespoke, proprietary and expensive solutions to enhance the visitor experience. Now mobile can deliver that platform at a fraction of the cost."
Mobanode - a company Shane founded in 2007 - was recently nominated for the 'Best Mobile Start up company' award at the prestigious TechCrunch Europas awards.
These recognise technology companies from across Europe.