Cambridge, MA based SCVNGR (pronounced ‘scavenger’) is going places with CVB and destination tie-ups for developing location and game-based smartphone app tours.

SCVNGR App

SCVNGR is both a game and a game platform, which in their own words can be summed up as “Go places. Do challenges. Earn points.”

It’s no surprise that the platform lends itself to customized game-based tours for destinations. What is surprising is that in short order the company has lined up an impressive list of CVBs and organizations that are now offering SCVNGR based destination tours.

The list includes both Explore Chicago (tourism) and Choose Chicago (CVB), the Philadelphia CVB, Norfolk CVB, Sarasota CVB, Boston’s Freedom Trail Foundation, and even the US Navy.

Way it works is pretty standard for location-based smartphone game apps – you download the free SCVNGR app, go to the spot mentioned and complete a certain task, which earns you points and discounts.

It has a social check-in feature, but it’s not a necessary part of the game. It doesn’t even necessarily need a smartphone, and can also be played by sending text messages.

The new twist here is that CVBs are using the platform to offer everything from convention center apps to themed tours of the destination, along with the requisite challenges and rewards to offer motivation.

For example, Choose Chicago is offering four distinct themed treks, from a Presidential Chicago trek which follows the Obama family’s Chicago faves to a McCormick Place show trek customized for large conventions.

Harvey Morris, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB) Director for Digital Marketing & Social Media, says that “SCVNGR’s flexibility in building out custom challenges allows the show organizer to help shape the attendee experience in a way that’s fun and engaging.”

On top of these custom tours developed for specific organizations, SCVNGR also has a broad city-wide program for Chicago that links Universities, the Metro and other places of cultural significance into the game layer. Also, the Norfolk CVB in Virginia is offering SCVNGR based city tours – a Norfolk driving tour, and another Explore Norfolk tour on foot.

SCVNGR was launched in 2008 and has secured $4.79 million in funding, including $4 million in Series B funding from Google Ventures and Highland Capital Partners. In the 22 weeks since the app launch, over 500,000 users have played the game and the company has around 1000 paying clients who are using the game as a platform for interactive tours.

More info: www.scvngr.com/

Related posts:- There’s An App For That?