Tourism Vancouver Launching New Event and Sports Mobile Application

Did you hear that Tourism Vancouver is launching a new event and sporting event application in partnership with HTC phones (TELUS) and a UK company? It's not a bad idea and frankly, I applaud Tourism Vancouver for jumping on board the mobile application bandwagon.  

But I'm questioning the execution of the plan for this amazing application. You see, amidst our sea of talented mobile application developers in Vancouver and in Canada, they went with a UK firm to get the job done.

Ha!

Apparently, the contract which is said to be the world’s first ever complete interactive tourist and sporting event mobile application is designed by a UK firm, Satsports GPS.

The application will have updated, streaming information and street navigation– just in time for all those Olympic visitors coming to Vancouver for the Games. Other features include an SMS function that allows Tourism Vancouver to interact with visitors anywhere in the city no matter what they are doing, as in Tourism Vancouver folks will send notifications to them of events time changes, points of interest, competition updates, weather reports and news flashes.

We are excited to partner with HTC and SatSports on such a groundbreaking mobile application, said Walt Judas of Tourism Vancouver. With live messaging and constant updates, it’s virtually a tour guide in your pocket assisting you every step of your trip.  Tourism Vancouver employees will all get the HTC mobile devices in January.

According to the press release, SatSports Integrated Tourism & Events Mobile App 2009/2010 features include:

• Mapping and navigation to all points of local interest, stations, hotels, restaurants, and Tourism   Vancouver listings
• SMS enabled, receive Tourism Vancouver updates on P01, weather reports, and event information.
• Live streaming of news and event results, and announcements
• Includes all satellite visitor centre locations and navigation information
• All Sports and other major events
• Includes Ski/Snowboard Winter Sports application as part of standard download through March 31, 2010
• The application will also have available for the first three months of 2010, a free version of the Award wining interactive Satski GPS skiing and boarding application for skiers in Whistler.

The application will also provide transport planner and emergency service contacts, along with visitor centre locations. Compatible with all Windows Mobile and Android supported phones. The application is also PC downloadable and PC Friendly. You can download the app once it's available at Tourism Vancouver.

Hmm...What do you guys think? Is this an economically motivated move on the part of Tourism Vancouver or does this once again indicate a lack of confidence in local talent?