Travel hospitality

City Launches Smart-Tourism App Integrating Transit, Events, and Offers

SEATTLE – March 15, 2025 — The Seattle Smart-Tourism App Authority (STA) today officially launched “Seattle Explore,” a comprehensive Smart-Tourism App that integrates real-time public transit data, live event listings, and personalized local business offers into a single platform. Available immediately on iOS and Android, the free app represents the city’s flagship digital infrastructure investment to streamline visitor navigation while catalyzing economic growth for regional tourism partners.

Seattle Explore addresses fragmentation in the visitor experience by consolidating critical travel functions that previously required multiple applications. The platform provides live GPS tracking for King County Metro, Sound Transit, and Seattle Streetcar networks; real-time ticketing and seat availability for performances at venues like the Paramount Theatre and Lumen Field; and geofenced discount notifications from over 800 participating local businesses.

Powered by AI-driven personalization, the Smart-Tourism App curates itineraries based on user preferences, weather conditions, and crowd density data sourced from Internet of Things sensors deployed at 50 high-traffic attractions. According to research from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, real-time information and alerts rank as the most critical feature for Smart-Tourism App success, cited by 24% of industry stakeholders.

The launch aligns with a broader industry shift toward integrated mobility and experience platforms. Recent market analysis shows the global smart tourism sector expanding from $25.08 billion in 2025 to $39.56 billion by 2029, driven by 12.1% annual growth in demand for unified digital services.

This trend is exemplified by major transit platforms expanding into tourism; for instance, Moovit recently partnered with Bridgify to embed event discovery and attraction booking directly into its public transportation Smart-Tourism App, enabling users to plan journeys and reserve experiences in one workflow. Seattle Explore builds on this model by adding localized commerce layers, creating a closed-loop ecosystem where transit data directly influences dining, retail, and entertainment recommendations.

For visitors, the Smart-Tourism App eliminates friction points through multi-language support in 12 languages, offline map functionality, and a “One-Tap Rescue” feature connecting users to emergency services with automatic location sharing.

Machine learning algorithms adjust suggested routes based on real-time transit delays, event start times, and promotional offer windows, reducing average trip planning time by 67% compared to conventional methods. The platform also incorporates accessibility features, including audio navigation for visually impaired users and wheelchair-friendly route optimization covering 98% of the city’s transit network.

Local businesses gain unprecedented visibility through the Smart-Tourism App’s merchant dashboard, which provides analytics on foot traffic patterns, visitor demographics, and conversion rates from offer redemptions. Early beta participants report a 34% increase in tourist spending per transaction when customers engage through app-generated promotions.

“Seattle Explore transforms how we connect with visitors,” said Maria Chen, owner of Pike Place Market’s Seattle Spice Shop. “The data insights help us staff appropriately during cruise ship arrivals, and the push notification system drove 200 new customers to our store last month alone.” The platform’s commission-free structure for the first 18 months ensures small businesses retain full revenue, a critical differentiator from commercial travel aggregators that typically charge 15-30% per booking.

The Seattle Tourism Authority developed the Smart-Tourism App through a $3.2 million public-private partnership with Microsoft Azure and local tech firm UrbanLeap, leveraging existing cloud infrastructure to ensure scalability. Phase two, slated for Q4 2025, will integrate autonomous vehicle hailing from approved operators and blockchain-based loyalty tokens for repeat visitors. The system employs bank-grade encryption and complies with Washington State’s stringent data privacy regulations, addressing cybersecurity concerns that 46% of tourism boards identify as a primary adoption barrier.

“The future of urban tourism is seamless, sustainable, and powered by intelligent data,” said Jonathan Rivera, CEO of the Seattle Tourism Authority. “Seattle Explore doesn’t just help visitors get around—it fundamentally reimagines how our city welcomes the world while ensuring tourism dollars flow directly into neighborhood economies. This is technology in the service of the community.”

Market Context and Adoption Data

The smart travel apps segment demonstrates robust momentum, with North America capturing 37.4% of global market share and generating over $800 million in revenue during 2024. Individual travelers represent 61.9% of end users, underscoring demand for self-service digital tools. Smartphone penetration—now at 53% of the global population with mobile internet access—fuels this growth, as travelers increasingly expect real-time, personalized services.

Seattle’s initiative positions the city within the Asia-Pacific-led innovation wave while addressing unique domestic priorities around equity and small business support.

About Seattle Smart-Tourism App Authority

The Seattle Tourism Authority is the official destination marketing and management organization for Seattle and King County, Washington. Established in 2018, STA promotes sustainable tourism development, operates visitor information centers, and manages digital infrastructure projects that support regional economic growth. The Authority serves 42 million annual visitors and oversees a $7.8 billion tourism economy.