Easier times for globetrotters
In order for tourist to enjoy their vacation they need information concerning pre-trip planning, accommodation availability, transportation connections, and documentation about interesting sites, etc. This information is usually available in printed guides, leaflets, internet sites or tourist offices. However, the accessibility of these services is limited in terms of space and time and on the other hand the information provided is not always current. PALIO project presents a solution in order to provide updated information that covers all the needs of tourists, from accommodation and entertainment to cultural and social events. The system seamlessly integrates the most widely used telecommunication platforms, versatile. The core of the system is called the Augmented Virtual City Centre and it is the subsystem that gathers the information from all the available sources and it is responsible for all the communication interaction with users. The end user can access this service by means of mobile phone, internet, PC's wireless or wired connections as well as tourist kiosks, 24 hour a day 7 days a week. The system has been tested in two very popular tourist destinations - Crete (Greece) and Florence, Siena (Italy). The feedback received from both the intermediate and end users has been very good. The tourists that tested the system declared that they were absolutely satisfied and that they would pay for such a service. The public administrators expect from the system a reduction in the number of people seeking information from the tourist offices and call centres and consequently a dramatic cost reduction for the running of such services.
