In the media · Stars newspaper
A digital tourism information system has been developed
English translation of the article republished from the 6 October issue of Stars. Publication on eStars.lv ↗
FacebookVarakļāni wants to be more visible, both in residents’ everyday lives and on the map for tourists and visitors. To promote tourism opportunities in the Varakļāni area in a modern, visitor-friendly way, Varakļānu attīstībai has developed the digital tourism information system “Varakļāni — digital tourism guide”.
It brings together information about places to visit, tourist attractions and other opportunities to help travellers explore Varakļāni and its surroundings. The digital tool has been made available free of charge to the Varakļāni Area Administration, providing another way to make the town and its tourism offer more accessible.
“I wanted to create more than an attractive screen: a living, practical guide that helps visitors discover Varakļāni and its surroundings. It is currently intended for a tourist kiosk, but we plan to make the guide easily accessible on phones too — both for people already in Varakļāni and for travellers near and far who are still planning their visit,” says the project’s initiator and developer, Viktors Vilkaušs of Varakļānu attīstībai.
The system has been handed over free of charge for use by the Varakļāni Area Administration. It will be available in a tourist information kiosk, bringing together places to visit, events, routes, dining and accommodation options, and local institutions. Visitors will be able to use an interactive map, view distances and driving times to a selected destination, and continue a route on their phone using a QR code. An administration interface has also been developed. Staff can change text and images, add events, set opening hours, manage publication periods and view kiosk usage statistics. This will allow regular updates without involving a programmer in everyday tasks. The administration interface is being handed over to the Varakļāni Area Administration, while day-to-day content management will be entrusted to the Varakļāni Tourist Information Centre and Cultural Centre. Residents, businesses, institutions and event organisers can contact them to correct information or add new content.
The guide is planned in four languages: Latvian, Latgalian, English and German. The Latgalian content will continue to be refined with input from local speakers. According to the association’s preliminary estimate, an equivalent bespoke solution would have a market value of approximately EUR 25,000–40,000 excluding VAT. The estimate is based on the system’s functions, technical scope and the work required for a comparable solution. Varakļānu attīstībai invested its own funds, time and expertise in the project.
Artificial intelligence technologies were also used as development tools, but the association was responsible for the system’s structure, content, testing and final decisions. Tourism content also drew on information available at www.visitmadona.lv.
This article reflects the situation and opinions at the time of its original publication. English translation of the republished Latvian text; newspaper column breaks have been adapted for online reading.
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