AutoNavi launches smart navigation service for tourist attractions

People visit the stand of AutoNavi, the Chinese map and data service provider, during the PT/EXPO COMM China 2013 in Beijing, China, 25 September 2013. [Photo/IC]

AutoNavi, a Chinese digital mapping and navigation firm that is affiliated with Alibaba Group, is offering a smart tourism solution that helps travelers make the best of their trips.

AutoNavi launched on Monday a mobile-based smart service that can help visitors not only navigate inside tourist attractions but also get real-time show information and help them avoid crowded areas.

The service is being launched by AutoNavi and the operators of Wuzhen, a tourist attraction in Zhejiang province, and Wtown, a tourist attraction in suburban Beijing.

The application-based service makes Wuzhen and Wtown China's first tourist attractions with a mobile-based digital guide that provides real-time, location-based information.

Chen Yonghai, the vice president of AutoNavi, said that the smart tourism solution is expected to be adopted by more tourist attractions in China due to the huge demand from tourism sites to offer real-time service and information.

Media reports showed that China has 213 tourism zones that are rated as 5A, the top level for tourist attractions in the country, and 617 4A tourism zones.

Statistics from the China Tourism Academy showed that tourist attractions in the country have received more than 4.1 billion visits this year.