Looking for that cute little restaurant that people talk about but you can never find?
There’s an app for that. A Samoan app.
The claim is made by Reverend Falefatu Enari, who says he met with representatives from Digicel in the middle of last year to discuss his concept of an online advertising website, called Poly Marketplace.
The Samoa Tourism Authority fale at Eleele fou was a place of celebration on Monday evening, as the country’s tourism industry got its hands on a new software ‘app’ or application that guides mobile users to the country’s attractions.
Developed by tourism operator, Polynesian Xplorer, the app revealed an innovative opportunity for Samoa to be more accessible – literally the touch of a button on a ‘smart’ phone.
In fact, that’s what they’ve called it: The Samoa Smart Guide app.
The application allows people seeking information about Samoa to locate accommodation, restaurants, find out about events, churches, even road stalls, and it provides maps as well.
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The app will also feature vouchers and coupons for specials.
Perhaps what will make it what is known as a ‘killer’ app is the fact that it can be downloaded and used ‘offline’, an important consideration in a country where internet connections can be slow, patchy or altogether absent.
Oh, and it’s free.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi was all praise for the innovation.
“This is a first for this country and it is an important milestone” in the continuing efforts by Polynesian Xplorer to promote Samoa to the outside world.
The application will serve curious, information hungry residents and visitors that want to know more about Samoa and its attractions including businesses; motels, government information, church events, hotels, stores and much more, he said.
Global markets and local people alike will now be able to more easily access information about Samoa, he said.
The application embraces the latest mobiles technology.
One other major positive aspect about the application is that it would feature small businesses, often left off the major marketing, promotional and advertising campaigns. Having these businesses featured on this application would help promote them to the outside world, said Tuilaepa.
He said that if people from the global market wanted to know the location of these smaller businesses the application will direct them straight to their whereabouts.
The application features the S.T.A. logo.
The application is available now to Android mobile users and will also be useable on Apple devices by next week.
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