Microsoft, Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board Launch Windows 8 Apps for Tourism

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With ease of technology, more Filipinos are relying on their mobile devices and apps for their important activities such as banking, tracking of courier packages and even for computing electricity consumption among others. The gadgets they have in hand have become their partners as well in planning their travels from looking for the best local destinations to visit to organizing their itineraries. Tourists need one-stop shop apps that can provide them the information and features they need when they travel around the Philippines.

In line with this, Microsoft Philippines (Microsoft), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) formally sealed their partnership today to enable Windows 8 users with information and features they need on the country's best local destinations through a series of local apps. Microsoft, DOT and TPB are proud to announce that the set of More Fun Series apps is now available for download in the Windows Store.

The More Fun Series is a group of apps which aims to highlight the country’s 25 key tourist destinations including their interesting overview, exciting activities, famous sites and itinerary builder among other features. Furthermore, these free apps feature commercial information coming from the official website of DOT including but not limited to accredited restaurants, spas and souvenir shops to complete the travel experience of every tourist. 

“At Microsoft Philippines, we aim to constantly bring innovation and make technology accessible to more Filipinos to help them improve their lives and businesses,” underlined Karrie Ilagan, Managing Director of Microsoft Philippines. “We are honored that the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board partnered with us in empowering tourism in the country through Windows 8.  The More Fun Series apps are designed to promote our country’s amazing travel destinations worldwide, which means more opportunities for our local entrepreneurs and businesses to reach an even wider audience.”

According to Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. this partnership will definitely strengthen the brand campaign. “As more and more people rely on quick information through smart phones and tablets, the demand for mobile apps is likely to rise in the next decades. This new mobile app, sporting the IMFITP look and feel, will surely bring our marketing messages closer to the consumers,” said Secretary Jimenez.

Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III said, “We are always very optimistic in all our campaign strategies and digital advertising obviously plays a huge part in this. Through the Windows 8 mobile App ‘More Fun’, our marketing campaign will be able to reach global tourists.  The itinerary builder, one of the special features, allows potential visitors customize their tour plans.  We are happy that Microsoft is a generous and avid partner in helping us in our goal to connect with intended markets as well as create new ones.  More importantly, our ultimate goal is getting them all excited and making it easy for them to convert.”

 

Windows 8 is the first platform to have apps on tourism in partnership with the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board. Below are the features of the More Fun Series apps:

 

Your Windows 8 Start Screen: After successfully downloading the apps of your favourite local destinations, pin them at the start screen of your Windows 8 device to receive real-time updates on the new photos on the region shared by tourists and users.

Main Page and Overview: Learn more about your favourite destination by first reading its background and popular places. From history, geographical information to trivia, this feature is helpful in familiarizing yourself with the destination and planning your itinerary.

 

Gallery and Content Panel: Get more excited through the shared photos of tourists who have visited the destination. Get ideas on how they are able to maximize their visit through the enjoyable activities there to create a more memorable and fun experience that is only in the Philippines!

 

DOT-accredited Establishments and Itinerary Builder: The More Fun Series apps are a one-stop shop as they also provide the list of DOT-accredited establishments and their contact information for a hassle-free dining or shopping experience. You can also calendar your activities of any of these establishments through the Itinerary Builder. This calendar automatically syncs up with your Outlook email and Windows phone calendar.

 

Top Destinations. Curious about the most visited places in a region or province? Be guided by the Top Destinations feature! Each destination is also briefly described to acquaint you with the place. If you want more information, just click or tap the link to be redirected to the DOT site without having to exit the app.

For the initial phase of the launch, Windows 8 users can download the following 10 available apps: More Fun Beach BORACAY Philippines; More Fun Destination BOHOL Philippines; More Fun Destination DAVAO Philippines; More Fun Destination CAGAYAN DE ORO Philippines; More Fun Destination PUERTO PRINCESA Philippines; More Fun Destination BAGUIO Philippines; More Fun Region BICOL Philippines; More Fun Diving CEBU Philippines; More Fun Region ILOCOS Philippines; and More Fun City MANILA Philippines.

To learn more on the More Fun Series apps, visit www.microsoft.com.ph and www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com.

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