New social travel app ‘Gratia’ launches in New Zealand

New social travel app ‘Gratia’ launches in New Zealand on iOS and Android

• Gratia allows locals and travellers to explore New Zealand and meet others who share their interests.

• Gratia combines user-generated and travel industry content to provide a rich source of ideas for things to do and see throughout New Zealand.

• Gratia provides a platform for industry partners to place their own brands and curated, geo-targeted content on the app, and to engage with app users.

Auckland, New Zealand – Monday 22 May 2017: A new travel app called Gratia, which becomes available today, offers one of the richest sources of ideas for things to do and see in New Zealand. The simple app allows iPhone and Android phone users to find things to do from a multitude of activities and interact with people who share their interests.

Gratia uses content from Yelp and Tourism New Zealand, with additional curated content developed with partners including Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, Bay of Islands Information, Adventure Living, AJ Hackett and Queenstown Life. Several regional tourism organisations, including Northland, Hamilton-Waikato, Destination Coromandel, Rotorua NZ and Visit Ruapehu are supporting the platform with their content. Several other organisations are preparing to join the platform.

Users simply sign in through their Facebook account, then swipe through the multitude of activities and save them to their favourites. From there, they can build a schedule, invite friends, and even find and connect with new people interested in the same things. They can chat with their Gratia friends, share their favourites and invitations and create their own activity groups for people who share their interests.

“Gratia has established relationships with travel and tourism organisations across New Zealand, which helps us bring the best content from around the country to the app,” Gratia founder Chris Ewing says.

“We are seeking more partnerships throughout New Zealand to allow users an even greater range of activities. For businesses and organisations, it’s the perfect platform to showcase their offerings without large development costs.”

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail provides its own app experience using the Gratia platform.

Jason Menard, Alps 2 Ocean (A2O) Development Officer, says, “We are thrilled to be a content partner with Gratia as this has enabled A2O to build our own app experience, complete with our own colours and branding, for travellers visiting our world-famous cycling trail situated in the South Island of New Zealand.

“Travellers can use our A2O app on Gratia to connect with each other through a shared interest, arrange to meet each other, and then ride the nine-section 300 kilometre trail that links the Southern Alps with the Pacific Ocean. They can also use the A2O app on Gratia to access a broad range of relevant content from accommodation and food to bike hire. It also allows users to book their own unique experiences.

“All our content on Gratia is owned and managed by A2O through our portal. In effect, A2O has its own app without incurring the related development and maintenance costs. We are also able to support the businesses in the region that wish to be included on our app.”

Destination Coromandel brings the beauty of the spectacular Coromandel region on New Zealand’s North Island to the Gratia app.

Hadley Dryden, General Manager of Destination Coromandel, says, “We are delighted with our joint venture with Gratia to promote this beautiful region, both with the free things to do and the businesses that support visitors. Together, we’ve created Gratia’s Coromandel theme so travellers can see all the best things to do and explore when they visit The Coromandel.

"Gratia features The Coromandel in a purpose-built travel app so travellers don’t have to download an app specifically for our region. We can leverage their network and potentially go further by highlighting multi-faceted attractions such as the Hauraki Rail Trail.

“We own and manage all the content through the portal and organise commercial listings on our website and the Gratia app. Our listing revenues are shared.”

The free Gratia app is now available for locals and travellers to find New Zealand content from anywhere in the world.

It's no mystery that travelling is much more fun if you can share the experience.

Available on the App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/gratia-app/id1109298424?mt=8

Get it on Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gratia&hl=en

Please visit www.gratiaapp.com for more Gratia information, including videos and screenshots of the app.

The Gratia app was developed and is owned by Gratia Software Limited. The founders of Gratia Software Limited are Chris Ewing and Douglas Paul.

ends

© Scoop Media