Editor’s note: This article is by Michael Faher, of the Brattleboro Reformer, in which it was first published Feb. 9, 2015.
[G]UILFORD — In creating and promoting a new tourism app dubbed ViewBoost Vermont, father- and-son team Roger and Doug Allbee wanted a mobile tool that was “customizable” and “cutting-edge.” But they also faced a unique challenge, given that cellular and wireless coverage can be spotty at best in many areas of the Green Mountain State.
The solution is twofold: First, Townshend-based ViewBoost has developed kiosks such as one installed in January at the Interstate 91 welcome center in Guilford. Also — and perhaps more importantly — the app itself has “offline functionality” that allows travelers to use some aspects of ViewBoost even when not connected to any network.
“You won’t get the message, ‘the Internet connection appears to be offline’ or ‘network unavailable’ or ‘this app requires a working Internet connection,’” Doug Allbee said. “These are not the messages I want to see when traveling throughout Vermont. I compare it to listing your location in a print publication and having that page ripped out.”
It’s not the only print reference Allbee makes in talking about ViewBoost. He says the travel industry is “in a transition from the paper-based, maps-and-racks system” to an online setup that allows mobile phone users to instantly find what they’re looking for.
It’s certainly not a new concept, as evidenced by the popularity of applications such as Yelp. But Allbee says ViewBoost is different from Yelp in that it is Vermont-focused and “ultra-local.”
That extends to its roots. Allbee, whose background is in digital mapping and personal navigation devices, founded the app with his father Roger, the former state agriculture secretary and the current chief executive officer of Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend.
“I was even an advocate for this type of technology when I was secretary of agriculture for Vermont,” Roger Allbee said. “It was clear then that many visitors to Vermont wanted instant information on what is available in our state in real time using their iPhones.”
Doug Allbee, who resides in New Hampshire and is ViewBoost LLC chief executive officer, said he and his father “had always discussed working together in some capacity for years (but) we just hadn’t found the right opportunity. We created the opportunity by focusing on Vermont travel and tourism.”
He says the application was created “with and for” Vermont.
“We met with people around the state — at coffee shops, at homes, at stores … wherever people would meet, and we discussed ideas,” he said.
Roger Allbee notes that the app “was developed with private funding, with a recognition that the state did not have the resources nor the ability to develop this needed travel technology. Our model, too, is one of giving back with our revenue-sharing.”
Doug Allbee touts ViewBoost as “simple, fun and technologically advanced.” In addition to finding and allowing users to post reviews of destinations such as restaurants, cafes, lodging, shopping and art venues, the app also locates “events” and “tours and trails.”
“For example, we have all of the Byways in Vermont in our application today,” Allbee said. “These are beautiful routes, and what better way to promote them than in a mobile application that has offline capabilities.”
That a portion of the app can be used offline is an important selling point: “We focus on rural destinations,” Allbee said, “and to not provide offline functionality is a disservice to the traveler and to the location that has paid to list on our application.”
The company’s ViewBoost kiosks are another way to reach travelers. There are kiosks at the Williston North and Williston South information centers off Interstate 89, and there is a new kiosk for northbound I-91 travelers in Windham County.
That kiosk is sponsored by Commonwealth Dairy/Green Mountain Creamery. Tom Moffitt, chief executive officer of the Brattleboro business, said he became familiar with ViewBoost through Roger Allbee, who as agriculture secretary had played a key role in the company locating here.
“We’re excited to be a part of it,” Moffitt said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to get some exposure among tourists coming to Vermont.”
It’s the same idea for ViewBoost. Doug Allbee knows that not everyone has a smartphone; through the kiosk, “we want to get people comfortable with the technology,” he said.
For those who want the mobile app, it’s free on Apple’s App Store. More information also is available at viewboost.com.