Whimsy

Your AI-based personal Travel Assistant

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Problem Statement

Whimsy is a digital platform that revolutionizes rural and ecotourism by offering personalized itineraries, cultural immersion, and authentic user content. Powered by AI and community engagement, it provides seamless travel assistance, connecting users with like-minded travelers and local communities for an immersive, sustainable journey.

Proposed Solution

Whimsy is a digital platform that revolutionizes rural and ecotourism by offering personalized itineraries, cultural immersion, and authentic user content. Powered by AI and community engagement, it provides seamless travel assistance, connecting users with like-minded travelers and local communities for an immersive, sustainable journey.

Empathise
Literature Review

Research Objective

The primary objective is to understand the needs and preferences of ecotourists and to identify gaps in current tourism platforms. The study aims to explore how technology, especially AI and user-generated content, can enhance the ecotourism experience.

AI in Tourism

(Bulchand-Gidumal, 2022; Buhalis et al., 2019; Li et al., 2019)

Rural Tourism Experience

(Elistabeth Kastenholz; Cavaco, 2003; Frochot, 2005; Lane, 2009)​

Sustainability in Community-Based Tourism

(Krittawit Krittayaruangroja, Suparak Suriyankietkaew, Philip Hallinger, Dodds et al., 2018; Suriyankietkaew et al., 2022)

Impact of Technology on Tourism

(Larsen, 2007; Cohen, 1979; Romeiß-Stracke, 1998)

User-Generated Content in Tourism (Social Media and Travel Platforms)​

  • AI technologies have significantly transformed the tourism industry, offering personalized experiences to tourists. These technologies include recommender systems, personalization techniques, conversational systems (like chatbots and virtual assistants), forecasting tools, autonomous agents, language translation applications, and smart tourism destinations.

  • AI helps tourists navigate unknown environments, reducing anxiety and fear associated with unfamiliar settings. This technology enables the development of memorable experiences and personalized travel packages.


  • AI's role extends to seamless navigation in unknown environments, overcoming language and cultural barriers, and transforming these differences from barriers into attractions.

Affinity Diagram

Identified Design Gaps

Personalization and Context Awareness

The literature suggests a need for more personalized travel experiences, particularly in understanding and catering to individual preferences in sustainable and rural tourism settings. Current platforms may not effectively tailor information and recommendations based on nuanced traveler profiles.

Authentic Cultural Engagement and Representation

There is a gap in how current tourism platforms represent and engage with local cultures, especially in rural areas. Often, the portrayal of these cultures lacks depth and authenticity, potentially leading to superficial tourist experiences.

Personalization and Context Awareness

The literature suggests a need for more personalized travel experiences, particularly in understanding and catering to individual preferences in sustainable and rural tourism settings. Current platforms may not effectively tailor information and recommendations based on nuanced traveler profiles.

Step 2
Define

User Persona

Step 3
Ideate

Step 3
Design

Step 4
Design

Context-Aware AI

Weather Trip Customisation

Integrates real-time weather data to help users plan their activities more effectively, ensuring a pleasant and safe travel experience.

Your Language Teacher

Whimsy’s Language Pathfinder

Promotes cultural immersion by encouraging users to learn local languages, facilitating deeper connections with the community.

Smart Travel Planning Tailored to You

Your AI Travel Companion

Let Whimsy’s AI craft personalized itineraries, making your trips unforgettable and stress-free.

Turn Your Stories Into Visual Masterpieces

Storybook

Easily create and visualize your narratives with intuitive tools that bring your stories to life.