The Wrangell Convention and Visitor Bureau’s new interactive, destination-focused map pinpoints dozens of businesses, community services, recreational opportunities and more, providing useful information for anyone planning a trip or thinking of setting up their family or business in town.
It’s only been a couple of months since the app was launched and the visitor bureau’s QR Code — its digital link to information — already has been scanned more than 5,000 times, steering people to the new 3D map of the community and surrounding area.
The visitor bureau signed a one-year contract with Wander Maps for the service. The map started up July 1. The annual license fee is $8,000.
“We did an initial push” to bring in businesses and attractions to the map, said Kate Thomas, borough economic development director. “We’re seeking to add more. … This will keep growing over time.”
The initial entries included information on U.S. Forest Service cabins, shelters, recreation sites, trails and roads, Thomas said. Users who click on a map marker will see detailed information on each attraction. Borough-owned properties, multiple businesses and other attractions also were loaded into the map, such as restaurants, lodging and shops.
So far, Wrangell is the only Southeast community to use the Wander app, which covers destinations worldwide.
The visitor bureau would like to add more information about attractions in the area, not just limiting the map to Wrangell, Thomas said, providing regional information for travelers who might be boating, hiking or camping.
An important feature of the app is that it can be loaded on a smartphone and used when travelers are out of cell range. “Their platform allows users to navigate a 3D interactive map on a web browser, as well as access an offline version downloadable through their app,” Thomas explained in a report to the borough assembly last month.
In addition to details provided by the borough, the app uses AI software — artificial intelligence — to pull data from the internet to add more information to points of interest on the map, Thomas said. But she was quick to add that she and Matt Henson, the borough’s marketing and community development coordinator, audit all the information to ensure that the photos and information are accurate.
“AI still requires some level of human contact,” Thomas said. “We control what goes on the site.”
Businesses and community groups that want to be added to the map can contact Thomas at kthomas@wrangell.com or Henson at mhenson@wrangell.com, or enter their information on the visitor bureau website at travelwrangell.com/wanderinwrg.
Though the visitor bureau doesn’t yet have the compiled data, Wander will provide numbers on how the app is used, where the users are and what they look at. No names, just numbers to help the bureau market the community.
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