VIDEO: Project Launching of Tourist Information Kiosk (TIK) of Ministry of Tourism
February 16, 2010 11:17 am
When a tourist arrives in a new location
he requires various information about the place. To fulfill his needs the
required information has to be provided in accurate and timely manner.
Providing it almost 24 hours a day is not an easy task. Manning such
information counters 2 or 3 shifts a day is an expensive exercise.
The answer to this difficult task is
found in Digital Information Kiosks. Digital Tourist Information Kiosks supply
the information tourists require
1. Accurately
2. Timely
3. In a language the tourist prefer
4. In a very cost effective manner.
When coupled with the backing of the
Ministry of Tourism, information provided by TIK become a one came with authority
and dependable without further clarification.
TIK is a touch screen based information
provider. With touch of few buttons displayed in the touch screen of the kiosk
a tourist can get the information he wants to almost any tourism related
questions. No computer literacy is required to do it.
In the “Sri Lanka General” section
information will be available on flight schedules, train time tables, currency
exchange rates, international time zones, current weather and forecasts,
emergency numbers, contact info of foreign missions and airlines etc. In
difference to other media, the TIK will display the info in real time. For an
example it will show not only the published flight schedule but also the
current flight schedule what is on display at the airport.
In the touch screen interface information
are sorted under 11 main categories:
ü
ü Culture
ü Accommodation
ü Dining
ü Travel
ü Shopping
ü Beauty & wellness
ü Entertainment
ü Events
ü Sports
ü Leisure
The TIKS will be placed in locations with
high tourist footfalls such as:
ü Airports
ü Tourist Information Centres
ü Hotels
ü Commercial Centers
ü Shopping malls
ü Exhibition & Convention Centres
Ministry of
Tourism promotes
It says that tourists can drink in a Monday night or shop in a Tuesday morning while locals can’t do so. In that way restaurants will fill, otherwise half full restaurant seats on weekdays by attracting tourists without any additional capital outlay. It is same with shopping malls too. TIK will provide the right exposure to such establishments. The value of Tourism Dollar should be understood. Most of them have more purchasing power in comparison to locals. They are not aware of local prices. Giving right exposure to the products and services available to tourists can do a big difference to the profitability of an establishment.
