iVisit™: an information exchange tool for self-drive tourists in remote Australia

Abstract

Recent research has identified the need for the development of a comprehensive in-vehicle information system for independent self-drive travellers (iVisit™) in regional and remote Australia. The purpose of iVisit™ is to facilitate location based two way communication between travellers and relevant information providers (destination management organisations, emergency services, local government, or tourism businesses) in remote destinations. This paper looks at the feasibility of such a location based information system in remote areas and reports on the results of a workshop conducted with stakeholders of a particular remote destination in South Australia – the Oodnadatta Track. A detailed user needs analysis was conducted with workshop participants to develop a set of user needs specifications for iVisit™. The paper argues that existing technical barriers to improved location based communication in remote Australia are likely to be short-term only. With rapidly changing communication technologies, the development of new and innovative information systems should be primarily concerned with organising and managing the required information architecture rather than focusing too much on specifying technological aspects.