Paradise Guide

Your Perfect Travel Companion

Exact Trip Guider is a Sri Lankan-based tourist guide app that showcases both hidden gems and popular destinations across Sri Lanka. Discover the island’s unique sights and experiences, from renowned attractions to off-the-beaten-path wonders!

Product Overview

The mobile app is designed to simplify travel planning within Sri Lanka by allowing users to find travel destinations near their current location. The app is primarily intended to assist both local and foreign traveler's by offering quick and easy access to nearby places of interest, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka's tourism industry. Its main feature is location-based destination discovery, enabling users to explore travel-worthy spots close to where they are.

Team

Dilshan Athukorala - UI/UX Designer

Nikila Sharuka - UI/UX Designer

Lahiru Diaz - UI/UX Designer

Problem Statement

Traveler, both local and foreign, often face difficulties in discovering destinations near their current location, especially when visiting unfamiliar areas. The lack of localised travel information can make planning spontaneous trips inconvenient. Additionally, travellers may miss out on hidden gems due to limited access to updated and nearby travel suggestions. This gap creates a need for a solution that offers real-time, location-specific destination recommendations.

Goals

Provide Location-Based Recommendations: Enable users to discover travel destinations near their current location with ease.
Enhance Travel Planning: Support spontaneous travel by offering immediate and accessible information on nearby attractions.
Promote Sri Lankan Tourism: Contribute to the growth of local tourism by guiding users to hidden destinations across Sri Lanka.
Improve User Experience: Create a seamless and intuitive app interface that caters to both local and international travellers.

Design Process

I followed the Design Thinking UX process, which involved five key stages: Understand, Define, Ideate, Design, and Test. In the Understand phase, I researched the needs of local and foreign travelers. During the Define stage, I pinpointed the core problem—finding nearby travel destinations. In the Ideate phase, I brainstormed solutions to enhance the user experience. I then moved to the Design stage, creating user flows and high-fidelity prototypes. Finally, I conducted user testing in the Test phase to refine the app based on feedback.

Design Timeline

Target Audience

The app targets two primary groups:

Foreign Travelers: Visitors from outside Sri Lanka looking to explore tourist destinations, especially those near their current stay.
Local Travelers: Residents of Sri Lanka who wish to discover new, unexplored locations nearby for short trips or weekend getaways.

User Research

Competitor Analysis: Examined existing travel apps to identify gaps in location-based services specific to Sri Lanka.
User Feedback: During the prototyping phase, I gathered feedback from users to refine the app’s core functionality, ensuring the destination recommendations were timely and relevant to users' preferences.

Unique Features

Location-Based Travel Recommendations: Users can easily discover nearby destinations relevant to their current location, solving the common problem of finding places to visit.
Curated Destination Suggestions: The app provides curated recommendations tailored to the user’s travel preferences, enhancing personalized trip planning.
Support for Local Tourism: In addition to popular tourist spots, the app promotes lesser-known destinations, offering a more diverse and immersive travel experience across Sri Lanka.

Information Architecture/User Flow

Sketches/Low-fidelity Wireframes

High Fidelity Screens

Home Screen

Check Nearby Button : To help users quickly find locations around their current spot, there is a Search Nearby Button prominently displayed on the home screen. This button allows users to easily navigate to the Nearby Tab, where they can view a list or map of nearby travel destinations.

Top Places to Visit: In the middle of the screen, users are presented with a curated list of the Top Places to Visit in Sri Lanka. These suggestions are based on popular tourist spots and tailored recommendations that help users discover must-see locations.

Location Screen

The Location Screen features a visually appealing layout, beginning with a striking display of images at the top that captures the essence of the location. Below the images, users can find a comprehensive description and overview of the location, detailing its significance, attractions, and unique features.

This information helps users understand what to expect and why they should visit. Additionally, the screen includes a gallery showcasing more images, allowing users to explore various aspects of the location visually. This combination of visuals and informative content provides a rich experience for users as they learn about and plan their visit to the destination.

Service Screen

The Service Screen features a captivating image of the service at the top, providing an immediate visual representation that engages users. Beneath the image, essential details are displayed, including the service provider's name, contact information, and open hours.

This clear layout allows users to quickly identify the service provider and access vital information about the service. Additionally, an About section offers a brief description, while a gallery showcases more images. Users can also explore reviews from fellow travelers, helping them make informed decisions.

Style Guide

Color Palette

Typography

Roadmap

The future roadmap for the app includes:

Phase 1

(Launch): Release the core version of the app with location-based recommendations and essential destination details.

Phase 2

(Enhancements): Introduce personalized travel itineraries, allowing users to create detailed day-to-day plans.

Phase 3

(Social Features): Add social features like sharing trips, reviews, and real-time travel updates with friends or the community.

Phase 4

(Integration with Local Services): Partner with local businesses for bookings, events, and guided tours, enhancing the overall travel experience for users.