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Iloilo Digital Tourism launched in Santa Barbara, Iloilo

Santa Barbara, a historical town in Iloilo where the flag of fledgling Philippine Republic was raised in 1898 to signal the start of the revolution against the Spaniards in the Visayas and Mindanao, will celebrate its heritage this Independence Day with digital tourism—a project of Cebu-based new media start-up Innopub Media and wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).
The Digital Tourism project aims to enhance the tourists’ experience through Internet and mobile technologies. It involves the creation and installation of interactive markers containing Quick Response (QR) codes and Near Field Communication (NFC) stickers which, when scanned or tapped via a mobile phone, direct users to a website containing more information about the site or structure, including photos and videos. 
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and Mayor Dennis Superficial (4th and from left respectively)
led the unveiling of the Iloilo Digital Tourism markers during the 116th Philippine Independence Day rites.
“The launch perfectly coincides with the celebration of the Independence day,” said Smart Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto. “With digital tourism, we are able to help preserve our history and culture by providing digital content, which can easily be accessed and updated, being stored in the cloud.  So when tourists visit a historical landmark, they have better appreciation of its place in Philippine history.”
Nick Bautista Wilwayco of Smart Communications delivers a message of appreciation
in behalf of the telecommunications giant.
During the launch, six historical sites in Santa Barbara will be tagged with interactive markers. These are the Santa Barbara Parish Church, Flagpole Park, Iloilo Golf and Country Club, Gen. Martin T. Delgado Monument, Santa Barbara Centennial Museum, and Victory Plaza. 
Mayor Dennis Superficial together with Smart's Nick Wilwayco and Max Limpag of Inno Pub
The Digital Tourism project, which recently won an Anvil award of merit, was launched in Cebu City in 2012. The year after, it was launched in Iloilo City. Early this year, it was rolled out in Baguio City and in the municipalities of Argao and Boljoon in Cebu. In the coming years, Smart and InnoPub are set to bring the initiative in many more provinces in the country. 
Press conference on the Iloilo Digital Tourism launch in Santa Barbara
“We're excited to work with Santa Barbara in Iloilo on Digital Tourism. The project harnesses technology to enhance tourism – two things the Philippines is known for. It uses mobile technology to deliver tourism, cultural and historical information to people through devices that we carry around with us wherever we go: Phones and tablets,” said InnoPub co-founder Max Limpag.
Mayor Superficial tests the Santa Barbara Guide mobile app
Aside from tagging historical and tourist spots, Smart and InnoPub will also release the Santa Barbara Guide mobile app on June 12. Articles on must-try food and must-visit places in Santa Barbara, the town’s history, as well as the accredited tour operators are listed in this guide.
Iloilo Digital Tourism utilizes QR Codes and NFC markers to link mobiles users to the web.
The app also has a "tap to call" feature allowing users to call phone numbers in the app with just a click. It has a directory of important contact numbers of hospitals, emergency units, and police stations. Furthermore, the app provides location data. Some places featured in the guide are GPS-tagged with a "check location" link. With a single tap, the app will suggest routes and directions to the desired destinations via the GPS guide system of the users' devices. 
The Santa Barbara Guide can be downloaded at Google Play Store for free. It can also be accessed via http://santabarbara.myguide.ph.

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