I came across this article in the Times technology section advocating the use of multimedia technology to encourage visitors in Venice to venture into less touristy neighbourhoods. In the trial visitors were offered a mulitmedia two hour walking tour. Armed with PDAs loaded with flash animation, video clips and maps, they set out of their tour of discovery. Feedback from the trial was very postive.

This article exemplifies the culture of spoon feeding. Why do you need new technology complete with all the bells and whistles to get off the beaten track? Just do it, explore the area for yourself without being told what to do and see! Take the advice of Jan Morris, “The best way to find out about a place is wander around. Wander around, alone, with all your antennae out thinking about what’s happening and what you see and what you feel.”

When I write a destination guide I want to instill a desire in the reader to visit and explore that destination themselves, not provide a complete blow by blow intinerary for their visit. When I plan a trip for myself I do some research about my destination, decide on some priorities. However I don’t want to have a schedule set in stone.

tags: travel, technology, multimedia, venice, italy, PDA, flash, animation, maps, tours