Local Explorers upgrades DMO web platform with faster navigation and AI tools

Local Explorers says it has revamped its tourism web platform for destination marketing organizations with back-end upgrades aimed at faster performance, smoother navigation, and easier site management. The changes are designed to help DMOs give visitors a richer, more current view of local attractions, events and promotions while keeping sites usable during updates and slow connections.

Why it matters: - DMOs rely on their websites as a first stop for travelers planning where to go and what to do. - Local Explorers’ upgraded web platform is aimed at making those sites faster, easier to maintain and more useful for visitors across devices. - The update also positions the web tool as a lower-cost, scalable option for smaller DMOs that want to add features without rebuilding their entire site.

What happened: - Local Explorers introduced a comprehensive set of back-end upgrades to its tourism web solution for destination marketing organizations. - The company says the changes deliver a smoother, more responsive experience for site visitors and easier editing for back-end users. - The Boca Raton, Florida-based company said the update is available across its web modules for DMOs.

The details: - The web solution lets DMOs add modules to existing web pages. - Those modules include an interactive map of attractions with pins tied to photos and information. - The platform also includes a searchable directory of restaurants, shops and cultural attractions. - Other modules include a searchable event calendar, a directory of discounts and special promotions, and a blog page. - The upgrades add AI-powered tools that catch and correct potential problems before they affect users. - The updated experience includes a cleaner look, faster navigation, smoother scrolling and quicker page loads. - The platform also aims to make forms easier and more secure. - The company says the experience is consistent across devices. - The upgrade is designed to keep the site working during software updates and slow connections. - The system is intended to let users keep interacting with the site even when updates are in progress.

Between the lines: - Local Explorers is best known for its mobile loyalty apps, but the web product gives the company another way to serve communities that need a more flexible digital presence. - Susan Erickson, vice president and co-founder of Local Explorers, said many visitors see a DMO website as the community’s front door. - Erickson said smaller DMOs can start with one feature, such as an interactive map or trip planner, and add more tools as their audience grows. - Erickson also said the web solution and the company’s mobile app can work together to serve both planners and spontaneous travelers. - The company cited the Ocala/Marion Visitors and Convention Bureau as a client that has used both the web solution and the Local Explorers app.

What’s next: - DMOs can adopt the upgraded web modules incrementally, starting with a single feature and expanding over time. - Local Explorers says it will continue supporting communities with development, training, maintenance and updates. - The company is steering interested customers to more information.

The bottom line: - Local Explorers is making its DMO web platform faster, more resilient and easier to scale, with the goal of helping tourism marketers better convert website visits into trip planning.