Meet THE LOCALS
MEET THE LOCALS -The community of travellers and locals who share same interests and unique travel explorations.
ELEVATOR PITCH Bring people together to share passion and unique travel experiences. Change the way people travel and support tourist explorations. Promoting unique travel destinations and new ways of experiencing the places by meeting local people. Matching tourists and locals with the same interests for more customised travel experiences.
CONNECT WITH LOCALS WHO SHARE YOUR INTEREST GET LOCAL TRAVEL ADVICE TAKE PART IN THE ACTIVITIES AND LEARN NEW LOCAL SKILLS
TRAVEL DIARY - MAIN INSPIRATION Gabriela’s Travel diary: “Part of the fun of travelling is meeting and interacting with local people! On my trip to Japan I’ve meet 80 people in total. I’m still in touch with some of them on facebook.” “I always have a better experience when I mingle with locals while travelling, they usually know better places to check out than you can’t find in any traveller’s guide.”
“For me food is a great way to get to know a culture and best way to experience it share it with a local I will never forget my first ramen with Mao- amazing local chef!”
USER RESEARCH FINDINGS / TRIP PLANNING
USER RESEARCH / TOUCH POINTS
USER RESEARCH FINDINGS / INSIGHTS FROM INTERVIEWS Independent travellers and have an appetite for exploring and enjoying other cultures and the places they were visiting.
Locals help to discover new places: “When I travelled to Mexico my local friends took me to the most amazing Waterfalls that are off most tourist maps despite their beauty”
Finding a locals: “I often arrange to meet new people online before my trip, it’s not so easy...Sometimes they are friends of friends or family. I meet people in hostels”
Locals better than trip advisor: “I meet a local in Bulgaria and he shared travel tips with me that trip adviser don’t, either because they are too new or too quirky because those are the best bits! I always want to escape tourist traps and spent too much money ...”
Trust issue: Couch surfing is good! I’ve used it several times in the past. It can be a bit random though, since it’s free, it really comes down to who has the time to respond and meet up. Few times the person I’ve arrange to meet didn’t show up...”
COMPETITOR REVIEW
Private audio tour guide. - Offline maps and data -Popular Cities and Featured tours -Recommendation system
Social/ lifestyle -My profile and settings
Like a local Guide is about finding those cool and hidden places- user pays for every city! - Offline maps - Syncing data between web and mobile
-Real time stream shows you the places that are open and available. -Save places to your wish lists if you like it!
USER PERSONAS- TRAVELLER & LOCAL Rick, traveller, 28 Marketing Executive from London. Loves travelling and hiking!
Goals: He wants to meet new people who share similar interest and have a local travel experience. He wants to discover new places and learn new skills. Travel beyond typical tourist sites and overrated tours. Issues: Bored of planning holidays and travelling only to see general attractions. Really annoyed with touristic overrated restaurants and spending a lot of money. Not having a wifi is also a big issue and not being able to save a ticket on his mobile. Not having access to the maps. Language problems and being lost.
Lora, 30, Local hiking guide from Bogota. Loves showing people around her city and organising hiking trips.
Goals: Meet new travellers who share same interests and have something in common. She wants to advertise her activities and earn money easily by sharing the places and experiences she loves. Issues: Can’t find a locals interested in her hiking trips, don’t know how to promote and manage her activities. Have problems receiving payments in the past.
USER SCENARIO- RICK GOT LOST IN JAPAN
Rick’s Story: Rick always loved to travel but being a tourist it’s not always so easy. He didn’t enjoy going on non flexible group tours or having language problems or end up paying a fortune while eating in very expensive touristic restaurants. Not knowing how best get around the city and feeling like he missed out on the very unique experience of a place.
USER SCENARIO - HAPPY PATH USING MEET THE LOCALS
Rick’s Story with Meet the locals: The best travel memories and stories he has are all about Meeting local who share similar interests and exploring the places with them. After every trip he has a lot of new friends and he would like to stay in touch with them. He can also view his previous adventures and activities, it helps to keep track of his travel memories.
FIRST CONCEPT PAPER PROTOTYPING
USER FLOWS / TRAVELLER
FINALLY RICK MEETS THE LOCALS!
USER FLOWS / LOCAL
USABILITY TEST / FINDINGS