Solving Issues with Tourism DX: Expanding Service Area for Tourism App "STLOCAL" to Boost Regional Tourism Consumption by Promoting In-Trip Itinerary

ZENRIN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuoka Prefecture, Kitakyushu City; President and CEO: Michio Takekawa, hereinafter ZENRIN) announced that its operated tourism app "STLOCAL (STLOCAL)" will expand its service area to include six new areas in Kyushu (Saga City/Beppu-Yufuin Grand Hot Spring Area/Kumamoto City/Aso/Miyazaki City/Kagoshima City) starting July 1, 2026. Additionally, a new feature has been added with the theme "The more you travel, the more your destination expands," to enhance the travel experience.

▲ Image of the "STLOCAL" screen

What is Tourism DX Realized with "STLOCAL"?

ZENRIN aims to create new value for tourist destinations by integrating geospatial information with DX technology, and is working to provide tourism DX solutions. The tourism app "STLOCAL" aims to contribute to the expansion of regional tourism consumption by seamlessly connecting each tourist's pre-trip planning (Tabi-mae), on-site experience (Tabi-naka), and post-trip reflection (Tabi-ato). Information on tourist itineraries and facility usage obtained through the service is digitized, providing a system that can contribute to EBPM (Evidence-Based Policy Making) for local governments and tourism operators.

(ZENRIN Website "Creating Tourism DX with Maps": https://www.zenrin.co.jp/product/category/iot/maas/index.html)

"STLOCAL" Overview

Since its service launch in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture in December 2021, "STLOCAL" has provided functions to promote regional travel, such as the development of electronic tickets linked to local festivals and events, and digital stamp rallies. The app has achieved approximately 160,000 cumulative downloads and sold approximately 90,000 electronic tickets for transportation and admission to tourist facilities, contributing to the revitalization of regional tourism through tourism DX.

In addition to adding multiple new areas, a new feature has been added with the theme "The more you travel, the more your destination expands," allowing tourists visiting local festivals and events to explore the area enjoyably, conveniently, and affordably through the app.

(Details of "STLOCAL" here: https://stlocal.net/)

1 Addition of Six New Kyushu Areas (Saga City/Beppu-Yufuin Grand Hot Spring Area/Kumamoto City/Aso/Miyazaki City/Kagoshima City)

With the addition of these new areas, a total of 16 areas within the Kyushu region are now covered by the service.

<"STLOCAL" Service Areas (New areas added this time are in bold and underlined)>

[Nagasaki Prefecture] Nagasaki City area, Sasebo-Saikai, Hirado-Ikitsuki-Matsura, Goto Islands,

Nagasaki Airport-Omura City, Hasami-Higashisonogi, Unzen City

[Saga Prefecture] Arita-Takeo-Ureshino, Imari-Karatsu-Yobuko, Saga City

[Fukuoka Prefecture] Kitakyushu-Mojiko Retro

[Oita Prefecture] Beppu-Yufuin Grand Hot Spring Area (Beppu City/Yufu City)

[Kumamoto Prefecture] Kumamoto City, Aso

[Miyazaki Prefecture] Miyazaki City

[Kagoshima Prefecture] Kagoshima City

2 Addition of New Features to Explore Regions Enjoyably, Conveniently, and Affordably

Features utilizing GPS check-in have been added to seamlessly connect the tourism experience from pre-trip planning to post-trip reflection.

[Tabi-mae] "Travel Plan" registers desired locations on a "Bingo Card"

Simply arrange your desired and interesting spots in a 3x3 grid to easily create your own travel plan. You can also create plans by referencing cards from other users.

[Tabi-naka] Earn points by "Checking In" or logging into the app

Using your created Bingo Card, aim for bingo by checking in at locations. Points can be earned by completing a line or the entire card. You can also earn points through weekly logins, participation in "stamp rallies" held in conjunction with local festivals and events, and check-ins via QR codes at "Shops Offering Points" in dining and retail establishments in Nagasaki City*, among other ways.

* Check-in points are available for those who have spent 1,000 yen or more on meals or purchases.

[Tabi-ato] Use earned points to enter prize drawings

For every 100 points, you can participate in a prize drawing to win gift certificates, local products from each prefecture, and more.

* The contents of the prizes vary depending on the drawing period. Please check within the app before participating in the drawing.

▲ Image of creating a "Bingo Card" in "Tabi-mae"

▲ Image of checking in to registered spots in "Tabi-naka" and the prize drawing in "Tabi-ato"

Future Outlook for "STLOCAL"

In the future, we will promote further adoption in each prefecture of Kyushu and aim to expand our services to tourist destinations nationwide by leveraging our sales and research bases across the country and engaging in community-based activities. Furthermore, we will further promote the spread of functions and services based on "STLOCAL" to realize tourism DX that contributes to labor saving through the digitalization of regional tourism and the planning of tourism policies. Additionally, by utilizing the travel data of each area, we will contribute to the planning and effectiveness verification of tourism policies in micro-areas.