Technology has enabled visitors in Belfast to interact with historical landmarks through their mobile phones. People with a mobile phone visiting the Maritime Mile in Belfast can talk to landmarks such as the Big Fish. They can ask questions and hear what the landmarks have to say.
Belfast City council has partnered with Tourism NI, Titanic Foundation, Hello Lamp Post and Ulster University to create a ‘smart city’ scheme called ‘Hello Maritime Mile’. This project will be live until St. Patrick’s Day, 17th March 2019.
This Research and Development joint project will enable visitors in Belfast as well as the local residents to experience an animated city experience.
From Donegall Quay till the HMS Caroline, all landmarks starting from the Big Fish will be able to communicate with people. This stretch includes The Great Light, Belfast Harbour, Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic. The people will be able to send messages to landmarks via the SMS option on their phones. For instance, they can type ‘Hello Big Fish’ and send the message to start an engaging conversation with the Big Fish.
The Councillor Deirdre Hargey, Lord Mayor, also joined the smart city partners at the launch of this modern tourism innovation.
According to her, Belfast City Council feels honoured to be a part of this project which intends to entertain visitors and the locals by bringing the Maritime Mile to life. Moreover, she said that this initiative will help people learn more about Belfast’s historical landmarks and tourist attractions expanding beautifully alongside the river.
Furthermore, she stressed on the fact that this project has united various teams within the City Council which include City Innovation and Events, Tourism, Smart Cities, and Culture & Arts. They are working together to improve the experience of tourists in Belfast through technology and promoting our agenda of Smart City.
Chief Executive of titan Foundation, Kerrie Sweeney highlighted the fact that this project is an incredible partnership which is engaging the visitors and the local residents with Belfast’s iconic culture and heritage in an enjoyable way. Moreover, she said that there is a possibility of animating multiple parts of the region through storytelling, play, unplanned happenings and an amazing exploitation of space. She encouraged people to visit Maritime Mile and experience bringing landmarks to life.
According to Claire Sharpe, who is a Digital Business Analyst for Tourism NI, Modern technologies have changed visitor experience at beautiful destinations and created a new perception for the tourism industry. Technology can help them innovate new ways of entertaining visitors in unique and memorable ways.
Moreover, she added that the Northern Ireland tourism industry has gained a lot of attention by using technology to enhance visitor experience. The tourists will be able to know more about the historical landmarks and the area around them.
According to Dr Joe Rafferty, who is a part of the UU School of Computing, Hello Maritime Mile will help attract more visitors in Belfast by providing an interactive experience. He added that the Ulster University is proud to work with its partners on this project.
CEO of Hello Lamp Post Tiernan Mines shared her excitement by saying that her team is delighted to be a part of this project. Her team is enthusiastic to promote the culture and heritage of Belfast through this exciting project.
She added that this project is very important for Belfast and its tourism industry and it has provided a chance for her company to set up the Hello Lamp Post in this area. This project will help the residents to feel proud of their city and know more about it.
