One thing Britain will always have is a rich and diverse array of tourist attractions. From the untouched beauty of the Scottish highlands to the golden beaches and blue seas of Cornwall, the country is packed with heritage, culture, scenery, architecture and history revered around the world.

But you know that already.

What you might not know is how the tourist experience is evolving as both attractions and visitors start to realise the benefits of using technology to enhance the experience.

A recent UK report by Hilton Hotels & Resorts states that 67% of those looking to travel in 2023 want to harness technology to make for a seamless travelling experience.

Digital has got a huge part to play in making a visitor attraction memorable. It’s not just about booking online or leaving a review. There’s so much more.

Here are just a few ways the industry can harness the power of software to enhance the visitor experience:

• 📍Navigation
• 💎Discovering hidden gems
• 📖Learning about the destination and history
• 🌿Discovering plants and animals
• ✅Realtime information, for example queue length
• 🏅Earning rewards

Some of these seem fairly obvious quick wins. The sweet spot though, is finding the combination of functionality that a particular audience want and need.

Let’s take an aquarium as an example. Sure, you’d like to know the opening times and be able to book a ticket online. That’s a given.

Once you’re in and your digital ticket has been scanned, what then? How can your mobile device enhance your visit?

Well, there’s not one answer – the answer is as broad as the scope of your imagination. From storytelling each step of the way through the aquarium, to knowing when its feeding time for the otters, an app can be a pocket guide and a perfect complement to the whole experience.

Let’s face it though, we don’t want to be glued to our screens all the way around. But what if we had already told our apps what we want to see, and could be alerted at ‘quiet’ times so we can see the sharks without the crowds?

What if we could be shown hidden gems that others may miss?

What if we could use AR to help engage people more? Or find ways to use technology to open up the experience for neuro-diverse visitors?

With growing demand for exceptional experiences, there's no doubt that technology can play a real role in elevating attractions across the board. From harnessing the power of social media to increase visibility, to implementing innovative tech solutions that enhance visitor experiences, the opportunities are endless. It's an exciting time for the industry!

We can help with a huge range of apps and software that add the wow factor and engage your visitors so they share their experience and spread the word! 🙌