Australian tech boosting worldwide travel experiences

An Australian travel tech company that has been enhancing visitor experiences in cities around the world is now making moves to expand into the Australian market.

Smartvisit, founded in 2020, has created destination experience technology for Universal Studios Hollywood, the cities of Athens, Cape Town and Dubai - including a special pass for the Dubai FIFA World Cup and Dubai company Arabian Adventures. 

It is also launching a New Orleans “Good Times pass” later this month, offering exclusive access to over 25 top attractions, tours, heritage sites and world-class museums.

CEO and co-founder of Smartvisit, Sydney-based Ryan Rieveley, said the company had already enjoyed significant success with several overseas organisations in various locations and the time was right to focus more on the Australian market.

“Locally, we created a Phillip Island attractions pass and loyalty programs for Rydges’ Sydney and Event Hotels and Resorts, and we’re focused on growing the business at home now,” he said.

“We are dedicated to transforming the tourism industry through cutting-edge technology and with tourism growing so rapidly in this post-Covid era, we know there is a strong appetite for our product.”

Smartvisit produces destination-specific content, available in multiple languages, that enhances visitor engagement, encourages exploration, and enriches the overall visitor experience, I am reliably informed.

One of its products, Jrnyz, utilises geolocation technology and notifications to deliver dynamic, location-specific content directly to traveller’s phones through multimedia storytelling, helping to bring destinations to life. 

Visitors can enjoy real-time storytelling and insights delivered precisely when and where they need them, offering a deeper connection to the places they explore.

For a self-guided walking tour of the city of Athens, Smartvisit collaborated with TikTok creator Briefed to bring the mythological gods of Athens alive.

The Hollywood Plus Pass, a first of its kind in North America where a major attraction is working collaboratively with other attractions in its market, the pass leverages Smartvisit's Destination Experience platform to "deliver a seamless experience for customers". 

The platform facilitates navigation, planning, booking, and direct-to-gate access to Universal Studios, as well as a multitude of premier attractions and experiences in the Los Angeles area.

Check out https://www.smartvisit.com/   

Hollywood stars expand their empire to include a brewery

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are not content with owning a fast-rising soccer team.

Now they have snapped up their own brewery so they can toast the success of the Wrexham football club.

The pair has now acquired a majority stake in local brewery Wrexham Lager, drinks business reports. And as of December the beers are available in Australia. 

Reynolds and McElhenney purchased Wrexham AFC, now in EFL League One, in 2020, with the high-profile investment in the Welsh football club becoming the subject of FX documentary Welcome to Wrexham.

During their time owning the club, the duo has seen Wrexham AFC enjoy two successive promotions and a huge boost in publicity and crowd numbers.

Founded in 1882 by German Immigrants Ivan Levinstein and Otto Isle, Wrexham Lager was previously under the ownership of Carlsberg before then being acquired by Martin Jones, who worked at the brewery until 1987, when he became MP for Clwyd South. 

Jones revived the brewery, which had ceased operations in 2000, in 2011, procuring its rights for £1.

In a media statement, Reynolds and McElhenney said: “As co-chairmen of Wrexham AFC, we have learned a lot. The connection between club and community, the intricacies of the offside rule and the occasional need for beer — especially after finance meetings.”

“Wrexham Lager has a 140-year-old recipe and a storied history and we’re excited to help write its next chapter.”

The full financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it is understood that the duo has acquired a majority stake.

Are you looking for the right address in Los Angeles?

You can't find a much more hip address than the corner of Hollywood and Vine. 

In the shadow of the Capitol Records Building, just a short stroll from legendary Musso and Frank's restaurant and the TCL Chinese Theater, this is quintessential Los Angeles. Perfect if you happen to have a meeting with a movie star. 

Thompson Hollywood, a luxury boutique hotel situated on Wilcox Avenue, near Hollywood and Vine, is getting ready to open its doors in the heart of what is known as the Vinyl District. 

The 190-room hotel will be managed by Hyatt and will join Hyatt’s guest loyalty program, World of Hyatt.

In a city where the right address can mean the difference between an easy schedule and spending hours a day on clogged freeways, this looks a good choice. There is a nearby red line Metro station that links to downtown, although catching a train is decidedly non-LA. Ideally, you need a car and driver.    

There will be 24 suites - in case someone else is paying your tab - and you are right in the centre of the city's musical landmarks and a serious bar and dining scene. Just be alert late at night as the regeneration of the precinct is still underway. 

The hotel will feature two immersive restaurants (whatever that means) and a range of meeting and event spaces, along with views from the rooftop pool deck and lounge.

Founded in 2001, Thompson Hotels is an award-winning boutique lifestyle hospitality brand, as yet unknown in Australia. 

The Thompson portfolio of lifestyle hotels includes The Beekman and Gild Hall in New York City; Thompson Washington D.C.; Thompson Nashville; Thompson Seattle; Thompson Chicago; The Cape in Los Cabos, Mexico and Thompson Playa del Carmen in Riviera Maya, Mexico; Thompson Zihuatanejo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast; and the new Thompson Dallas. ­

The Thompson Hollywood, 1523 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028. 

www.hollywoodthompson.com