New technology opens Banks Peninsula to the world
News release
May 15, 2008
New technology opens Banks
Peninsula to the world
Pioneering technology
developed by a local Banks Peninsula company for the tourism
industry is opening up the region to the world like never
before.
The i-Box is being launched by
Duvauchelle-based Interpretation New Zealand and combines
global satellite positioning with stories about the people,
places and pastimes of Banks Peninsula. It is designed as an
interactive guide to the area for both international and
domestic visitors.
This is the first time such
technology has been deployed in New Zealand but it could
eventually be applied across the country in a nationwide bid
to enhance the visitor experience.
Development of
the technology has been funded by the Ministry of Tourism
with assistance from the Christchurch City Council. Tourism
Minister Damien O’Connor will officially launch the i-Box
in Akaroa today (Thursday morning).
Visitors can
pick up their i-Box from the Christchurch i-SITE or one of
Banks Peninsula’s visitor centres (at Akaroa and Little
River). The location makes no difference to the experience
– the visitor simply plugs their unit into their cigarette
lighter and tunes their radio to a nominated FM frequency.
As they drive towards Banks Peninsula they will hear stories
about the area they are traveling through. Images of Banks
Peninsula will also be played on the screen. These images
will be accompanied by audio including sound bites, music
and poetry by Banks Peninsula
artists.
ends