Introducing the WTG App, that will help us explore Southeast Asia, create our travel plans, learn from people and boost our mood and motivation to travel again. It reminds us, no matter where we are, there is a way to go!
This project aims to solve Challenge #4: Tourism and Cultural Heritage. In supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 10, our team designed the app in promoting decent work and economic growth and reduced inequalities.
The tourism industry is one of the hardest hit by the emergence of COVID-19 Pandemic. The Southeast Asia 2021 Survey shows that the threat to health from the COVID-19 pandemic tops the list of challenges facing the region followed by unemployment and economic recession. This pandemic has been tough but it should not discourage us from traveling again. Through our project, we will be motivated to visit great places in Southeast Asia, to help boost our economy, to reset our body and mind and finally, to improve our health. Indeed, travel is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
This mobile app features the following:
Why is our solution unique?
The WTG App uses GNSS signals as the user create his/her/their travel plans and at the same time, if he/she/they share travel images, blogs and experiences in different places in Southeast Asia. Moreover, users get notified of new deals and places to be featured near their place once they allow location services on using their smartphones. Together, with the aid of this mobile app, we learn from and impart knowledge to people as we support Tourism for All.
The online travel market is being driven by concise and accessible information, quick and easy flight and hotel bookings, growing adoption of the internet services, rating and reviews, and travel options. The group ranges in ages 20-54 years old, are more likely to spend money on travel and visit new places. According to the ASEAN Statistical Yearbook 2020, the total population of all ASEAN states amounted to an estimated 661.5 million inhabitants, where 50.8% of ASEAN Population are ages 20-54. Thus, by studying publicly available sources, we have found out that in our target group there are as follows:
Global and Domestic
According to USM is a leading provider of technology solutions and services, the average development cost of a travel app for Android or iOS may differ from $25,000 to $55,000 for a single platform. With an estimated number of 10,000 users, we can say that the total addressable market $250,000,000 to $550,000,000.
Image from Pinoy Mountaineer Facebook Page.
Meet Jerald Polintan, who is visually-impaired, climbing Pico de Loro - a scenic mountain range in Maragondon, Cavite, Philippines. Our team was inspired by this photo, as it shows that travel is more than just the seeing of sights but rather an experience for all of the senses. It is indeed motivating as we ourselves, want to do this kind activity too, the soonest.
With this motivation and inspiration brought by this photo, we innovated WTG App act as a catalyst that encourage people travel and try to feel the same way other experience it regardless of ability and disability. The more we see stories like this, the more we get uplifted. Users can message or call others to learn more with their experiences too.
It is our world after all: get informed, get inspired & get going!
Our team is looking forward to learn using two powerful alternatives to Google Maps: Mapbox and OpenStreetMap and integrating API to ensure that the GNSS-related requirements (e.g. accuracy) for our solution are achieved. This includes database and server-side objects necessary for supporting functions of our project.
Types of Platform to improve further:
You can view our prototype here.
Our team shared the same skills as a researcher, UX/UI designer, and graphic designer. We thank you organizers for making this virtual hackathon full of fun and learning experience.