The Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo) has dropped a software application geared towards providing visitors with up to date information about the destination and which is accessible on their smart devices.
The app, titled Xplore Jamaica, was launched on the Google Play store on November 24, 2021 after being developed through the entity. Reports coming forward are that the application was created by the organization’s Management and Information Systems (MIS) department and serves to provide information on a number of tourism entities from across the island’s six primary resort areas of Montego Bay, Portland, Kingston, Ocho Rios, Negril and the South Coast.
The various entities listed are further grouped in the categories of accommodations, attractions, bike and car rentals, tour operators, places of interest and water sports. The app only features Jamaica Tourist Board licensed and COVID-19 compliant tourism entities.
According to the TPDCo, the new app will include features such as a travel guide with cost estimator and a complete travel blog to capture user reactions and comments. Users will also be able to view restaurants and shops near to their place of stay, the information will be available in nine languages, and user engagement in the form of reviews for feedback will prove useful for tourism entities and the sector overall. The Xplore Jamaica app will also provide the ability for the entities listed to receive feedback and provide a space for direct conversations.
During the launch, the TPDCo came in for praise from Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who called the app a win for the local tourism sector. “The new app by TPDCo is another win for the sector, it is timely as we work on our recovery from an unfortunate setback. However, we are now focused on the way forward and how we can return to normal times as soon as possible. I applaud TPDCo for its efforts to tap into this technological era and revolution, where Gen-Z in particular, is keen on working smart and not hard and expect to find all they need at the click of a button, and with all the necessary features available” the Minister remarked during a video message.