Visionary tourist information

"touristinfo2go" - an innovative concept to provide tourist information

INTEWO | World Habitat Society GmbH has developed a new, innovative tourist information system for the project „Exquisite Nature“ in the Hoexter district, Germany.

At so-called „Gates into the region“ a wealth of information about the European natural heritage in the Hoexter district will be provided. Made of solid wood and equipped with high quality printed information elements (nature photography, maps) the new information desk installations are real eye-catchers at their respective locations, e.g. being an integral part of existing tourist information centers.

The central element of the information desk is an embedded iPad, hosting an exclusive application for the „Exquisite Nature“, providing a range of multimedia information. In addition to texts, news, events and galleries, in particular videos, audio stories and interactive maps are providing an innovative multimedia experience and offer impressive insights into the project. The self-explanatory handling of the iPad provides easy access to information for the visitors. Integrated sound showers ensure the audio experience.

Further more, tourists and visitors to the “Exquisite Nature” can download an application for personal iPads or iPhones for free. This can be done at home in preparation to a visit or with the use of QR-Codes being at a one of the information desks, which provide a free WiFi network. This enables tourists to have their “personal guide” and access to information, wherever and whenever needed. The application, with support of the GPS system, is providing orientation on detailed maps and offers multimedia location-based-services, for the various nature reserves and attractions. The comprehensive range of digital information is stored offline in the application, to avoid additional costs from tariff rates and poor 3G networks in remote areas.

The modern and technologically advanced tourist portal, a combination of traditional and innovative information sources, enhances the professional capability, visibility and service. Barrier free, multi touch experience, live information and multimedia data are all integrated aspects of this visionary concept. Finally this will enhance the visitor experience, and at the same time boost young and old people’s enthusiasm for understanding their surroundings in a way that is both fun and instructive. “Gates into the region” have been installed at seven locations within the “Exquisite Nature” region.

DVD premiere at ITB

The DVD „Sultanate of Oman – A Land of Variety“ will be presented during the ITB Travel Trade Show in Berlin

INTEWO | World Habitat Society GmbH produced a DVD with documentaries about the Sultanate of Oman. The first movie features the rich cultural and natural heritage in Oman.

Experience the Arabian jewel from “a Thousand and One Nights”, with dreamlike landscapes and time honoured traditions charmingly interwoven with a contemporary lifestyle. Shaped by desert and ocean, the Sultanate has many natural and cultural treasures to discover. Just a step away from the well cared for modern city streets, the tantalising smell of incense will lead you into an exotic world of colour and bustling sound little changed in hundreds of years; where market stall vendors renowned for their friendliness and hospitality sell handcrafts and artworks.

The second movie looks into Oman’s great geological diversity. A geologist once said that Oman is one big wonderful outdoor geological Museum with unique geological values. It is the only country in the world composed mostly of oceanic crust and rocks that originated from the mantle – deep below the earth’s surface. In addition, evidence can be seen of continental drift and geological processes that have dominated the earth’s surface for many millions of years.

The DVD has been produced in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Ostwestfalen-Lippe (HS-OWL) and Medienwerk e.V. The two authors, Tamas Hodik and Manuel Pater visited Oman twice, accompanied by geologists and tourism professionals, and collected memorable pictures.

The DVD will be presented on the 8th of March 2012 during the ITB Travel Trade Show in Berlin. Visitors are welcomed to attend the premiere at the booth of Gulf Jewels Tours (Hall22B/200).

Ford Environmental Grant

Dr. Benno Böer (UNESCO Doha), Mr. Khalid Nassr Al-Toubi (INTEWO) and Mr. Hussein Murad (Ford Middle East) during the award ceremony in Dubai

INTEWO | World Habitat Society GmbH and National Earth Secrets LLC have been awarded with the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grant 2011. „The Geological Heritage of Oman“ is the title of the project, which is among this year’s laureates of the prestige Environmental Grant.

Since 2009 the German and Oman companies cooperate in different activities, developing sustainable geotourism and environmental education in the Sultanate. The comprehensive concept is aiming towards promoting and conserving the unique geological heritage in Oman, with performing different project features. Key elements of the project include the development of a GPS-based geotourism guide for the Muscat region, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism; the support of a cooperation between partners from the Nature Park Teutoburger Wald / Eggegebirge, promoting tourism and education for sustainable development; an annual student exchange with tourism students from Sultan Qaboos University; a geological movie project in Oman, in cooperation with the University of Applied Science Ostwestfalen-Lippe; and other activities supporting the rapprochement of cultures and promoting the German-Oman cooperation.

With support of the Ford Environmental Grant another ambitious project will be initiated. Key geological attractions in Oman will be exposed in a „Virtual Museum of Geology“. With support of latest technology high quality panorama images of selected geological hot spots will be produced and exhibited in an online museum, where one will be able to discover the hidden secrets of geology. Complemented with comprehensive information, the virtual museum will allow access to inaccessible locations and will provide knowledge about fascinating geological and geomorphological processes.

Ford‘s Conservation & Environmental Grants programme has become an annual event in the Middle East. Since its inception in 2000, the GCC/Levant chapter of the grants programme has supported at least 130 projects with more than US-$1 million granted to date. The programme has seen support from various governmental and non-governmental environmental authorities including the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Emirates Wildlife Society and the Arab Forum for Environment & Development (AFED). In 2011, the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants programme joined hands with the UNESCO, providing support to creative projects focused on Conservation Engineering, Protection of the Natural Environment and Environmental Education.

The award ceremony took place in Dubai and was performed by representatives from the UNESCO Doha Office and Ford Middle East. The keynote speech was held by the guest of honor, H.H. Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi, member of the ruling family of the Emirate of Ajman, also know as the „Green Sheikh“.

INTEWO | World Habitat Society’s Managing Partner, Mr. Henning Schwarze and National Earth Secret’s CEO, Mr. Khalid Nasser Al Toubi received the award on behalf of the joint international program.