News

Tourism Australia launches ‘world first’ app

Tourism Australian has created what it claims is a world first app, ‘Discover Australia Through Your Friends’ which merges Google Maps and Facebook.

Users can enter a planned destination and see which friends have been there.

The app shows comments, photos and check ins on a map which pins activity to the place it occurred.

It is intended to help people research and plan holiday destinations in Australia, based on research which showed people were influenced by their friends on social networks when choosing where to visit.

Tourism Australia conducted a survey of over 1,000 Australian Facebook users which found 73% check social media networks of their holidaying friends.

The app has some similarities to social media driven travel booking site Hooroo, launched by Qantas earlier this month with the backing of Tourism Australia.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said in a press release: “We know from research that more and more travellers are turning to their social media networks for inspiration to help them plan and get the best out of their holidays. Tourism Australia has been a global leader in the digital space for over a decade and this innovative social media tool will make word of mouth from your trusted network of Facebook friends even more powerful.”

The app was developed by digital agency Pixolut in collaboration with Facebook and TA.

Tourism Australia Facebook App 2

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.