LOCADVISOR

The rapid evolution of technology, the development of e-commerce, and the increasing use of the internet have led to the creation of new businesses providing products and services. A significant share of the online market is held by the tourism sector, with a plethora of applications and websites offering tourist products and services (accommodation bookings, tickets, dining venues, and generally tourist attractions).

The objective of the online business named "locadvisor" is to connect visitors with local offerings, nature trails, religious routes, and to organize idyllic or traditional weddings on the island of Samos. Samos is a lush island on the edge of the Aegean Sea, surrounded by pine and olive groves, citrus and fertile vineyards, with waterfalls, caves, hiking trails, picturesque landscapes, stunning beaches, archaeological treasures, religious routes, and traditional events of particular interest.

More specifically, "locadvisor" will provide future visitors-tourists of the island of Samos with the opportunity to discover the island by creating personalized packages and guided tours through the application. These packages will include walking paths through Samos' natural landscape, visits to churches, monasteries, and experiences from local festivals. Additionally, it will offer the organization of weddings and wedding receptions (wedding tourism) and other related activities tailored to individual preferences and desires.

The innovation of this new online business lies in providing free creation of personalized tour packages, visits, religious routes, and experiences from festive events - festivals, as well as organizing ceremonies and wedding events on the island of Samos, according to the personal choices and desires of various visitors. The "locadvisor" application represents an innovative service for the area of Samos and for the entire Greek territory.

Having knowledge of Samos' tourist product and the capabilities of the "locadvisor" application, as well as the user-friendly and fully informed environment of the application, cooperation with local stakeholders and businesses, and effective intervention in the tourism market are primary factors in achieving maximum benefits for both the business and the local community and its visitors.

The goals of "locadvisor" are:

• Complete recording of the tourist options offered in the area of Samos regarding religious tourism, sightseeing tourism, and wedding tourism.
• Introducing the public to the application.
• Increasing usage of the application, making it the primary choice of island visitors.
• Creating alternative personalized packages utilizing the application's capabilities, the expertise of the staff, and the network of partners.
• Attracting visitors of alternative forms of tourism (wedding tourism, religious tourism, hiking-sightseeing tourism).

The exciting geological relief of the island makes it an ideal destination for hiking, climbing, cycling, horse riding, cave exploration, offering approximately 260 kilometers of hiking trails throughout Samos. Crossing the island, visitors encounter old paths, wild forests, ancient olive groves, vineyards on terraces, beautiful villages, picturesque churches, springs and streams, gorges, waterfalls, and caves against the endless blue hues of the Aegean Sea.

Additionally, the island of Samos hosts many churches, chapels, and monasteries scattered throughout its various regions, which due to their history, architecture, and location, are attracting points for religious tourism enthusiasts. Visitors have the opportunity to discover the religious routes of the island, enjoy the ceremonies during the celebrations of the saints' memory, and have fun with the locals at the local festivals. The festivals (from June to September) are very popular and give a joyful atmosphere to the island.

Furthermore, the unique landscapes, rich nature, picturesque churches, delicious food and wine, as well as the organized festivities on the island, are just some of the things promised to the newlyweds on the island of Samos. It has everything a couple could imagine enjoying during the wedding ceremony, the reception, and the honeymoon. In collaboration with local factors and professionals of the island, the opportunity exists for couples to organize an experiential traditional wedding with the customs and traditions of the island, or a romantic wedding in an idyllic landscape in the island's chapels, or even a luxurious wedding in a special environment.

By focusing on the target groups of the business, the promotion and acquaintance with the capabilities of the application, as well as the promotion of the island as a destination fully adapted to the needs-demands of visitors, will be achieved. Additionally, providing quality goods and services will lead to the satisfaction of application users and an increase in website usage and visitor traffic, while also leading to the creation of new partnerships and consequently increasing the profits of the business. Finally, a challenge for the business is the continuous improvement of the application by enriching it with the recording of new sightseeing and religious routes, as well as destinations for wedding tourism both in Greece and abroad.