Keyquests Startup creates 10 new jobs in travel tech sector

Cork, 20 September 2013: Using a clever combination of QR-coded treasure hunts, online incentives, blogging and location-based marketing, Keyquests promises to be one of the most exciting technology and tourism startups of this year.

Launched this week at one of Ireland’s leading tourism resorts, Fota Wildlife Park, Keyquests is both an app and web solution that will enable tourists in Ireland, domestic and international, to plan excursions around Ireland, posting pictures and unlocking ‘quests’ along the way to avail of highly targeted location-based offers and holiday incentives.

“The concept behind Keyquests came to me when looking through holiday photo albums last year. Photos tell one story, but technology allows us now to tell our own unique stories and to create and share our experiences online,” explains Gillen Joyce, founder of Keyquests.

The startup, which has received funding from South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) and a number of private investors, has already created 6 full time jobs, and recruitment for a further 4 roles is ongoing. The roles are spread across programming, marketing and sales.

“At Keyquests, we use advances in technology and social media, to provide visitors with the ability to plan a trip, purchase tickets in advance availing of related Keyquests offers and subsequently post photos and blog about the trip. Keyquests can also suggest nearby attractions, hotels and restaurants to visit, so a holiday maker can have the optimal visitor experience in that location.”

The company is currently working with the OPW to include 32 public heritage sites on Keyquests, which is accessible online or by a customised app. Keyquests also boasts Ireland’s leading attractions such as Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Castle, House of Waterford Crystal, Dunbrody Famine Ship, The Jameson Experience, Fota Wildlife Park, Trabolgan, Dingle Aquarium and many more, and has already experienced a surge in app downloads from both the App Store and Android Marketplace.

“The premise behind Keyquests is simple; while many holiday makers know where they want to go and what they want to see, many more don’t. At Keyquests we aim to take the stress away from planning your travel itinerary, recommending routes to follow, providing attractive offers and incentives along the way, and enabling holiday makers to create, design and choose their own quest or travel itinerary,” added Joyce.

“Families love the Keyquests treasure hunts, which bring Ireland’s amazing sites to life and make it fun for young and old. Similarly backpackers enjoy creating their digital passports, which will be integrated with social networking sites.

This solution is completely unique, not just in Ireland but internationally also. It marries entertainment, pictures, blogging, social networking with real-time location based marketing for tourism and leisure businesses. We are really excited about this startup and see enormous potential to grow the business to a global brand”.

Unlock your holiday quest today by downloading the Keyquests app or visit www.keyquests.com