https://youtu.be/-A_qPtlaayU
Gonzalo Vega and Santiago Arbondo met while studying for their degrees in Social Media Analysis and Community Management. They created the Vívela app with the goal of addressing what tourists look for when they arrive at their destination and finding the best way to promote what each city has to offer.
There are currently 17 tours available, ranging from walking tours of the Old City to scenic flights. “The selection is diverse, and we want it to stay that way,” said the creators.
In May, they launched the app for Android devices, and it will soon be available on iOS as well. So far, they’ve had about a hundred downloads, and they say the feedback has been positive. “Feedback is always important, both from those interested in becoming hosts and from tourists. So far, we’ve received good reviews and support to keep going. We’re going through a phase we didn’t expect to experience so soon. We’re more than satisfied, but we’re keeping our feet on the ground—we know we have to keep working hard so that Vívela continues to grow.”
What needs does Vívela address?
Tourists are increasingly experienced travelers who seek new experiences in the places they visit, activities that add value to the destination, and insights into the daily life of the places they visit. They also aim to raise greater awareness of existing projects.
How did the idea for the app come about?
The idea came from our experience working in hostels and seeing what tourists are looking for: they want to feel like locals in the places they visit, learn about the customs, and experience everyday life. We also thought about how we’d like to earn some money in our free time by showing people around our local spots.
What was the creative process like?
The process has evolved over time. Vívela is constantly evolving; we know we can’t stand still, and teamwork is what has helped us grow.
We always believed in the idea and fell in love with it.
When Vívela was just getting started, more people joined us, and some of them are still part of our team today.
Regarding the project phases,Did you have to gather information, then organize it, and finally figure out how to present and provide it to the user?
We started by gathering information, including global tourism data, trends, and so on. We then focused more on data specific to Uruguay, and through secondary market research based on surveys, we assessed the project’s feasibility.
Did you find a ready-made itinerary of activities and tours, or did you have to put one together yourselves?
It was easy to find traditional tourist offerings, and even some alternative options, but we found that these activities aren’t promoted enough. There are nearly 300 tours in Montevideo, but they aren’t really well publicized, which reinforced our vision for Vívela as a tourism promotion platform.
Some people are very organized, while others aren't quite as much; for those who aren't as organized, we help them put together and plan their tour.
How did you come up with the concept of local hosts?
We use the term "host" because we expect the guides, beyond just leading the tour, to serve as ambassadors for the area and to welcome visitors.
We don't select the host; we curate the content they offer. The only thing we ask is that they send us their ID to provide greater peace of mind to the person booking the tour.
Which tours are you interested in adding?
We welcome all kinds of activities. Vívela is a platform for promoting tours and activities; the more varied our offerings are, the more appealing they will be to tourists. There are no specific requirements—it all depends on the imagination and creativity of the people who want to be part of Vívela.
Do you plan to expand this initiative beyond Uruguay?
Yes, we plan to launch in Buenos Aires in 2017 and, over the course of the year, expand throughout Argentina, and then continue to grow in Latin America.
What is the business model like?
There is no charge for the guide to be listed on the app; the fee is only charged at the time of booking.
We will charge a percentage of the price of each tour taken.
A portion of the funds we raise will go toward local impact projects in the areas where Vívela operates.
They presented the app to the Ministry of Tourism. How was it received?
We had the opportunity to meet with them and tell them about Vívela. We’ll be meeting again soon to further discuss the support they can provide us.
Do you plan to continue working on Vívela, or do you have another project in mind?
We always have projects in mind; maybe someday you'll see us taking on other ventures, but right now we're fully focused on Vívela.