Tech for Tourism - new app to support visitors in UK’s hottest staycation destination

• New interactive app developed by award-winning Cornish tech company, Data Duopoly, enhances experience for visitors of the Tin Coast
• XplorTINCOAST uses GPS technology to provide live information on visitors’ location, offering alternative routes to avoid congestion
• The app will help to manage capacity and maintain social distancing measures as more than 3 million tourists are expected to visit Cornwall this summer

Award winning Cornish tech business, Data Duopoly, has developed an interactive experience for visitors exploring the tin-mining world heritage sites of West Cornwall.

Commissioned by The Tin Coast Partnership, the XplorTINCOAST app aims to bring the wild stretch of coastline, which during the height of the season sees upward of 700 visitors per day, and its historical stories to life. Enhancing the visitor experience and supporting the local area plan for sustainable tourism by simultaneously helping the local economy and being respectful of the community, culture and landscape.

 With almost three million tourists expected to visit Cornwall this summer (a 10% increase on 2020), the app will provide valuable information for people looking to avoid the crowds and make the most of their experience.

 Using GPS technology, the app includes an interactive map providing live information pop-ups to give visitors more detail about their current location. The technology determines the best route to take to avoid congestion, based on the number of visitors at the site and their location. Helping to manage capacity and maintain social distancing measures.

 The app also supports local businesses by showcasing their offering to nearby users via

nudge notifications, such as a promotional offer on refreshments, to encourage visitor flow away from busy areas. A function that aims to give a boost to local businesses looking to recover financial losses suffered due to the pandemic during the anticipated record-breaking year for tourism in Cornwall.

 XplorTINCOAST is the result of a year-long collaboration with the Tin Coast Partnership, during which time, Data Duopoly expanded their in-house development team in order to develop an app that meets the needs of the project.

 The app is an evolution of Data Duopoly’s Xplor-IT, which was developed with funding from AeroSpace Cornwall - an EU funded programme that supports business innovating in satellite applications. Using satellite data, the Xplor-IT application was created to meet the needs of attractions and venues to manage visitor distribution and maintain social distancing measures, whilst maximising on-site spending and boosting visitor engagement before, during and after their visit through customisable gamification.

From navigating towns and cities with the help of Sat-Nav, to watching live sports happening on another continent - satellite technologies benefit humans daily. The XplorTINCOAST is using the data provided by satellites to improve experiences for visitors to the region.

Statistics show that 31% of Brits are experiencing post-COVID travel anxiety and worrying about holidaying this year due to heightened health concerns, and 35% of the population are likely to avoid crowds because of concerns about social distancing. The XplorTINCOAST should go some way in relieving these fears, as visitors can use the information provided to find less crowded areas to enjoy.

Beth Brown, the National Trust and Tin Coast Partnership Project Manager, said: “The

XplorTINCOAST app is a great tool for encouraging visitors to leave their cars behind and explore on foot, to connect to the history of the area, and to support our local businesses.”

Tanuvi Ethunandan, co-founder of Data Duopoly, added: “We are excited to be working on a solution that benefits the community around the World Heritage mining sites with the Tin Coast Partnership. XplorTINCOAST will allow visitors to engage with the rich history around the area innovatively and explore further than they have before. We are ensuring sustainable destination management in the area with our unique technology”.

Visitors will be prompted to download the XplorTINCOAST app when buying their tickets online via the website, and signage will be included along the Tin Coast to let visitors know about the app, with a QR code for easy download.

 The app and associated dashboard provides real-time data relating to footfall on the Tin Coast, offering insights into how people are using the area, which will support future planning. All collected data is anonymised with no access to visitors' personal details.