Tourist Interface Kiosks

1. Tourist Interface Kiosks Trivandrum Development Front

2. Agenda • Idea • Aim • Functions • Unmanned Facilities • Requirements • Costing • Possible Locations • Roll-out Plan • Next Steps

3. Idea To set up manned and remote interface kiosks at key locations to facilitate tourists in Trivandrum district. These kiosks will be sources of relevant information to visitors as well as act as an interface to promote Trivandrum as a tourist destination through various value-adding activities.

4. Aim The manned kiosk will have multiple aims: • To act as one-stop interface points at prominent locations like transportation hubs and tourism destinations • To supply information to tourists regarding hospitality and transportation facilities and tourist attractions • To collect information about tourists to conduct market analysis and to engage them in relationship building efforts • Brand building for tourism in Trivandrum and for DTPC • To facilitate growth of the tourism and hospitality industry by improving the tourists’ experience in Trivandrum

5. Functions Manned Kiosk • The kiosks will dispense a detailed map which will: • Detail out the road and rail network in the district as well as transportation hubs • Tourism and hospitality destinations, along with brief descriptions along the margins • Distances between important points in the district • Be free of cost • A CD-ROM containing an interactive and more detailed version of the map can be distributed at nominal cost • The CD can be distributed free of cost to those tourists who register with the kiosks • The CD will supply detailed information which will encourage repeat visits as well as promote awareness of Trivandrum among people who interact with the recipients of the CD • The CD will have an attractive packaging giving it the qualities of a memento • The kiosks will provide a City Transport Tariff card: • With Bus/Train/Flight timings • Taxi/Autorickshaw fares • The fares and schedules need to be updated every 3-6 months

6. Functions Manned Kiosk • The kiosk will provide a Programme/Event Guide which will summarise major events on: • Weekly: for immediate reference • Monthly: for repeat visits by tourists on long duration India tours • Yearly basis: for planned repeat visits • The Event Guide will need constant updation (the Weekly section) and hence can be printed out at each kiosk or at a central facility with an office printer. • The Event Guide can be built-up with the support of the local media and the Tourism Dept. • The personnel at the Kiosk will collect Contact Information from tourists, which can be used for mailing across newsletters in e-mail form. • Issue a Privilege Card – Tri-Mate – which will entitle tourists to discounts and other promotions with hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, airlines etc • Act as a Helpdesk for all relevant queries.

7. Unmanned Facilities In addition to the manned kiosks planned at strategic locations, DTPC can also look at unmanned facilities to augment its reach • Touch-screen facilities – consist of a touch-screen terminal which could either be offline or be linked to a central database. • The facilities can be deployed at secure locations like Technopark, Airport, malls etc • An Operation & Maintenance contract will ensure reliability • Agency to be engaged for periodic updation of content • Will appeal to the younger segment of tourists • Tourism Helpline phones - are limited use remote phones located at major locations. • They will have access only to a 24X7 Tourism Call Centre and to Emergency numbers • DTPC can tie-up with a telecom operator to offer the phones and services in return for co-branding opportunities • DTPC can set up or outsource the small call-centre facility • Can also be an access to Emergency services

8. Requirements • Space – Approx. 150 sft • The kiosk should be strategically located • One desktop with printer and internet connectivity • 1 or 2 staff per shift X 2/3 shifts • Staff should be fluent in English, Hindi and preferable atleast one South Indian language • Staff should receive basic training in interactional skills (perhaps from KITTS). • DTPC can also look at deploying students of Hospitality & Tourism institutes as interns • Well designed display material and décor • A display unit – preferably a LCD/Plasma TV or a projection screen. • A 24X7 Tourist Service centre – can be outsourced. • A central database server and links to media for information aggregation.

9. Cost Estimate

10. Cost Estimate - Comments • The costs of the call centre will be based on the number of calls received once the service is outsourced • This will be typically Rs 10-15/call and hence the total monthly expenditure could be about Rs 30,000 per month (10X100 calls per dayX30days). • The costs of the Tourism Helpline telephone equipment and services can be borne by the telecom operator in exchange for co-branding • The cost of the map and CD can also be met through sponsorship

11. Possible Locations • The kiosks – both manned and remote – can be rolled out in waves so that the investment will be phased and any issues in initial launches can be corrected quickly • Manned Kiosks • Wave I • Airport (both terminals), Central Railway Station, Bus Terminus, Kovalam, Varkala • Wave II and further • Ponmudi, Kanyakumari, East Fort, Thenmala, Veli, Aakulam, Museum area • Touch-screen Kiosks • Wave I • Technopark, Kovalam, Airport • Wave 2 • Other Airports in Kerala, Convention centres, Kerala Tourism offices outside Kerala • Tourism Helpline phones • Airports, Central Railway Station, Bus Terminus, Kovalam (multiple), Varkala, Ponmudi, Veli and Aakulam, East Fort.

12. Roll-out Plan

13. Action Plan • Discuss the idea with key stakeholders • Conduct detailed financial study • Conduct preliminary location identification and discussion with property owners – AAI, Railways etc • Identify and chart approval plan

14. Thank You