Situated a short distance from the Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) New Zealand (NZ) office in Newmarket, Auckland, lies a gym filled with stationary bicycles designed for vigorous pedalling whilst remaining stationary. These seemingly immobile contraptions, however, transport their riders on virtual journeys through exotic landscapes, such as the picturesque farmlands, lakes, and vineyards of the French Pyrenees or the historic arrondissements of Paris.
Inspired by this concept, egane Savary and her start-up company Atoflow propose a novel form of virtual cultural tourism tailored for New Caledonia, taking advantage of the digital opportunities available for businesses. The nascent enterprise is in the process of developing a sophisticated smartphone application that will initially guide users through the artistic and cultural landscapes of New Caledonia before expanding its purview to encompass the Blue Pacific's Pacific Island countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Atoflow is, at its core, a digital platform offering a unique travel experience centred around visual art. During their virtual excursions, users will encounter curated recommendations for cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, artists' workshops, and public art installations. The application's systems will analyse user preferences, location data, and previously chosen themes to create tailored recommendations that evolve as the user engages with the app.
The application under development is envisioned to serve a dual purpose: as a virtual art appreciation and acquisition platform, or as a pocket guide for self-guided independent travel in the physical world. Mlle Savary has incorporated geolocation technology and an advanced algorithm to enhance the app's functionality and optimise user experience.
The vision for Atoflow, as described by Mlle Savary, is "to enable as many people as possible to decipher this confidential universe by involving the individual in a creative journey; to offer art and tourism professionals a tool that addresses their needs and facilitates collaborative work."
This collaborative aspect is integral to the monetisation strategy, which may include subscriptions or commissions on visits and artwork sales, made possible through the app's built-in e-commerce functionality.
The start-up's business proposition encompasses two dimensions: as a solution for professionals, providing a novel tool for showcasing their works and facilitating collaboration among art and tourism stakeholders through app-building innovations; and as a resource for individual, self-directed travellers seeking an immersive art discovery experience in any Pacific city or country.
In preparation for Atoflow's ongoing development, Mlle Savary plans to visit New Zealand to gain insight from the nation's established arts tourism infrastructure.
Glynis Miller, Trade Commissioner of PTI NZ, emphasizes the significance of such digital advancements for the Blue Pacific.
"The digital world, including innovative applications such as Atoflow, holds tremendous promise for the Blue Pacific, opening new avenues for economic growth and cultural exchange."
As an innovative Pacific Island start-up, Atoflow aims to leverage the growing wealth of online cultural information by employing advanced algorithms to render the product valuable for both industry professionals and individual users.
Far from a bicycle that goes nowhere, Atoflow represents a business concept with remarkable scope and potential in the Blue Pacific, promising to revolutionise the way art and cultural experiences are discovered and shared in the across the region.
For more information for Pacific businesses looking to access the New Zealand market, please contact the Pacific Trade Invest NZ team here.
