History, culture and ecotourism in a nutshell. A refresher course for students, and an information kit for tourists at the click of a finger.
This is the Kultoura mobile app launched in a recent press conference at Rizal Park, Manila, by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Department of Tourism (DOT) in collaboration with Smart Communications and InnoPub Media.
Among the officials present were National Artist Virgilio Almario, NCCA chair; Tourism Undersecretary Flaconi Milliar; and Ramon Isberto of PLDT-Smart.
The new mobile app provides information on heritage sites, historic churches and schools, nature parks, festivals, popular attractions, famous landmarks, ecological wonders and other interesting places in various parts of the country.
There are histories of selected cities and provinces, along with their native cuisine and other useful information.
“The Kultoura app was developed to help tourists and students learn more about Philippine culture and heritage,” Almario said. “It may also be useful to foreigners who are interested in the rich history of, and beautiful destinations in, our country.”
Main targets
The main targets may be tourists, foreign as well as domestic, but an equally important market is the student sector.
Available as a free download for iOS and Android devices, the app is continuously being updated and will soon offer other high technology services. Smart will provide high-speed Wi-Fi and install quick-response codes and near-field communication chips in selective areas.
These are all part of the Digital Tourism Program of InnoPub and Smart launched in 2012 with local governments. The aim is to use mobile technology to promote tourism, and preserve cultural and heritage sites. The program has been implemented in Baguio City, the provinces of Bohol and Albay, and the cities of Dapitan and Davao.
“With the Digital Tourism Program, important historical, cultural and heritage information are now more widely
available to tourists through mobile device,” Max Limpag of InnoPub Media said. And the information on cultural sites is directly sourced from NCCA. –CONTRIBUTED