STB and Microsoft deliver information sharing platform

Project Nimbus promotes tourism innovation by sharing information on a common platform and in user-centric manner.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is among the first organisations in Singapore to contribute information on Microsoft’s data-sharing platform, Project Nimbus – Asia’s first cloud-based information marketplace. Project Nimbus was built to enable innovators to accelerate the development of applications through easy access to publicly available information, according to an STB report.

Through this collaboration, STB aims to be a frontrunner and lead the travel industry in driving and promoting innovation in the digital domain. As the first organisation in Singapore to contribute information related to tourism, STB will publish comprehensive listings of data, including hotels, attractions, business events taking place in Singapore as well as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) organisers. The information will be updated on a regular basis to ensure that the data remains current. This will not only serve as a one-stop shop for innovators sourcing for tourism-related information but will increase accessibility to timely data.

“Our partnership with Microsoft is a strategic one to advocate and to synergise private and public sector efforts in promoting innovation in the tourism arena. By sharing information on a common platform and in a coherent user-centric manner, we want to encourage the creation of new services and applications that will enhance the experiences of tourists in Singapore, enabling them to seamlessly tap into our concentration of sights, sounds, tastes, cultures and attractions in Singapore.” said Paul Tan, Director of Strategic Marketing, Singapore Tourism Board.

Arising from this collaboration, STB has developed two smartphone applications – the City Advantage Guide, a compact directory comprising a suite of lifestyle-related deals and privileges specially conceived for business travellers to enhance their experience in the city, and Wassup?, a youth-oriented location-based application that will provide youth-centric information such as F & B, nightlife and entertainment offerings, movie listings, youth activities, and social networking functions, among other options.

Wassup? was launched on 7 August at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard to coincide with Singapore’s hosting of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games from 14 to 26 August when over 40,000 international visitors and youth participants are expected to be in Singapore.

A charity auction was held at the launch party; with Xbox 360 consoles among the list of auction items. Proceeds went to Andrew and Grace Home, a refuge for troubled youths.

With Wassup?, visitors can tap into a smorgasbord of youth-centric activities that are off the beaten track with ease and convenience. The smartphone application is available for download on the iTunes app store.

Said John Fernandes, Director, Business and Marketing Organisation, Microsoft Singapore: “Project Nimbus is the first cloud-based information marketplace in Asia and Microsoft is delighted to partner with STB. We believe we are addressing an unmet need in the market today by offering a platform for organisations to enable access to publicly available information to developers who can use them to build applications such as Wassup? and City Advantage Guide.  Built by a passionate community of developers based on existing Microsoft’s cloud Azure technologies, Project Nimbus enables companies to bring their innovations to market faster and without having to invest in additional infrastructure.”