Herma

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  UI Research

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  User Flow

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  Herma Ideation

Inspiration

Our solution was inspired by the gap between tourists seeking authentic, enjoyable experiences and the lack of accessible, trustworthy local recommendations. Many travelers rely on generic, large-scale platforms or expensive travel agents, leaving them disconnected from locally-supported, sustainable experiences. Simultaneously, locals often feel frustrated by overcrowded tourist hotspots and the neglect of smaller, hidden gems that represent the true culture and flavor of their area. This platform aims to bridge that gap by empowering locals to share their favorite spots and stories while giving travelers a personalized, quest-like experience.

What it does

Our app curates personalized travel quests—adventures, food trails, and activities—based on recommendations directly from locals. Users can customize their quests by filtering preferences such as food type, adventure level, or sustainability priorities. The app also ensures that the experiences promote local businesses, reduce reliance on large chains, and uncover hidden gems. Locals can contribute their insights through a user-friendly platform, sharing their favorite places and experiences, which tourists can discover through interactive quests.

How we built it

We built the app using:

Frontend: React Native for a cross-platform mobile experience, ensuring smooth navigation and interactive quest features.

Backend: Node.js and Express.js to manage user data, quests, and local recommendations.

Database: MongoDB to store user profiles, quests, and local submissions efficiently.

APIs: Integration with Google Maps API for navigation and location-based recommendations.

UI/UX: A modern, intuitive interface designed for seamless exploration and user interaction.

Challenges we ran into

Balancing customization and simplicity: Ensuring the app offers flexible quest customization without overwhelming users with too many filters.

Authenticity of local recommendations: Creating a system to verify and prioritize genuine local contributions while preventing spam or fake recommendations.

User retention: Encouraging tourists to contribute local recommendations in their hometowns before unlocking full access to travel quests.

Sustainability filtering: Developing a reliable method to identify and highlight locally-owned, sustainable businesses.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Seamless quest customization: Creating an intuitive filtering system that personalizes travel experiences based on preferences like adventure level, cuisine, and sustainability values.

Empowering local voices: Designing a platform where locals can easily share their insights, giving them a direct influence on how their region is explored by tourists.

Sustainability integration: Prioritizing small businesses and environmentally-conscious choices in the quest recommendations.

User-friendly UI/UX: Developing an engaging and intuitive interface that makes exploring new destinations feel like a personalized adventure.

What we learned

User-centric design is key: Through testing, we realized the importance of balancing customization with simplicity to avoid overwhelming users.

Local perspectives matter: We learned that tourists value authentic local insights over mainstream reviews, making genuine local recommendations a vital part of the app.

Scalability challenges: Managing growing local contributions and keeping the experience authentic will require thoughtful moderation and filtering systems.

What's next for Herma

Gamification features: Introducing badges, leaderboards, and rewards for both tourists and locals to encourage ongoing participation.

AI-powered recommendations: Using machine learning to refine quest suggestions based on user behavior and preferences.

Partnerships with local businesses: Collaborating with small, sustainable businesses to offer exclusive deals or discounts for app users.

Offline mode: Enabling offline access to downloaded quests for travelers with limited connectivity.

Enhanced sustainability metrics: Adding verified sustainability badges for local businesses that meet eco-friendly standards.

Built With

• figma