24/06/2009

‘Canditv®' is an innovative technology which will allow visitors and residents 24-hour access, seven days a week, to a wide range of information about accommodation, restaurants, events, attractions and the York Pass, simply by dialling the number displayed on the screen and then using their mobile telephones as a TV remote control. 

Working in conjunction with Welcome to Yorkshire, as part of its new technologies campaign, the service is being trialled as part of a regional pilot programme, which if successful, will be rolled out across the Yorkshire region in the future.

Canditv® aims to provide an additional outlet through which visitors and residents can access information about the city as they visit the Visitor Information Centre.  For just the cost of a local call from their mobile, visitors will be able to:

•·         Search for accommodation and check availability - which during VIC open hours will dial through to the call centre for booking, and out-of-hours directly through to the accommodation provider, allowing visitors to book accommodation on the spot

•·         Get up-to-the-minute information about events happening in and around the city, direct from the Visit York website www.visityork.org

•·         Plan their visit to York as they arrive, giving information about the city's many museums and attractions, restaurant, bars and cafes - as well as the shopping offer and entertainment they can experience while they are here

Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of Visit York, said, ‘Canditv is an excellent example of how York is leading the way in information services for its visitors and residents, using the very latest technology. This new service will provide round-the-clock access to visitors wanting to search for somewhere to sleep, eat or visit as they travel around the city, allowing us extend the existing information services that we provide through our Visitor Information Centres.'

Gary Verity Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said ‘Digital technologies are at the heart of Welcome to Yorkshire's marketing activity. It is essential for us and our partners to utilise the technologies which engage visitors and enhance their stay in Yorkshire. The new interactive service is sure to attract attention in York and will benefit those businesses signposted through the screen's content.'

With over 4 million visitors coming into York each year, the investment in new technologies is part of a wider injection of new funding for tourism in York and its surrounding and is designed to contribute to the target of 5% per annum growth in tourism earnings, which Visit York, Welcome To Yorkshire and the five other tourism partnerships in the region are working towards.  ENDS

For more information, please contact Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York,

Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org 

What is Canditv®?

Canditv® is part of Data Driven Logistics Ltd, an innovative software and technology solutions provider. Canditv® enables any television or screen that is connected to the Internet to become interactive, allowing advertisers, retailers, games manufacturers, service providers and so on, to reach their target markets and customers in a completely new and innovative way. Simply by using any mobile phone to dial the number displayed on a screen enables users to navigate and interact with the content.