The Knight Residence in Edinburgh has launched an app for Chinese visitors.
Colin Stone, commercial director of Mansley Serviced Apartments, which owns and operates The Knight Residence, has responded to the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group’s (ETAG) China Ready campaign to maximise the opportunities presented by the growing numbers of Chinese visitors to the city. In partnership with Edinburgh-based travel tech company Information Apps, Stone has created a Mandarin version of the digital guest information book available for his 30 city-centre serviced apartments.
Last year, more than 160,000 Chinese travellers visited Edinburgh, while the announcement that Edinburgh Airport has signed a memorandum of understanding with Beijing Capital International Airport brings the prospect of direct flights to the capital ever closer.
Built using Information Apps online app builder, Criton, The Knight Residence app includes easy-to-follow directions and instruction videos on how to use appliances, through to maps, recommendations and links to nearby restaurants and attractions for a flawless customer experience. It is the first to deploy Criton’s new Mandarin translation offering for the influential Chinese market.
Stone said: “The app is an ideal way to connect with today’s travellers who use digital technology to book, check out reviews and search for places to visit. For us, it is all part of building the customer experience. Having the option to translate the app into other languages, and in particular Mandarin, really helps to reach out to our guests even before they arrive.”
Julie Grieve, founder of Information Apps, creator of Criton, added: “A Criton-built app literally provides the who, what, where, when and how about a place to stay via the touch of a screen, anywhere, anytime. Now that we can translate the content into Mandarin it enables independent hotels, serviced apartments and holiday home owners to digitise all the guest information and local guides, so that it is easily and always accessible.”
Rob Lang, head of marketing at Edinburgh Airport and chair of Edinburgh Tourism Action Group’s China Ready Initiative said: “The continued growth of the Chinese visitor market to Edinburgh presents a great opportunity for the city’s tourism sector. It is vital that we strive to become a “must see, must visit” destination for this influential market. This innovative use of technology is sure to appeal to visitors and improve their visit to Edinburgh.”</p
