COLOMBO : PickMe has launched Colombo Connect, the first city-wide destination under its newly introduced PickMe Explore platform, seeking to digitally link Colombo’s attractions, restaurants, entertainment, retail, culture and transport services.
The initiative was launched at the Colombo Lotus Tower, the first destination to join the Colombo Connect ecosystem. Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof attended as the chief guest, alongside Digital Economy Ministry Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala and Colombo Lotus Tower Chairman Shirantha Peries.
PickMe Explore is the expanded version of PickMe Events, the company’s event discovery and ticketing platform. Under its new identity, the platform will extend beyond events to connect destinations, attractions, experiences and communities through a single digital interface.
The users will be able to discover curated experiences, purchase attraction tickets and access exclusive offers through the platform.
As the first partner of Colombo Connect, the Lotus Tower will serve as its initial digital gateway. The visitors can purchase tickets through PickMe Explore and enter using QR-enabled access. The initial offerings include admission to the Observation Deck and Pixel Bloom, an immersive and interactive digital art museum.
PickMe CEO Jiffry Zulfer said Colombo had the potential to emerge as one of South Asia’s leading urban destinations, although its attractions and experiences currently operated largely in isolation.
“Colombo already has everything it needs to become one of South Asia’s most exciting urban destinations. What has been missing is a platform that brings those experiences together,” Zulfer said.
“Today, attractions promote themselves. Restaurants promote themselves. Museums, events and entertainment venues all operate independently. Colombo Connect changes that by helping present the city as one connected destination where every discovery leads to another.”
The company estimates that transactions generated across transport, ticketing, hospitality, retail, entertainment and other connected services could exceed Rs.30 billion annually once the ecosystem reaches maturity.
Colombo Connect is also intended to encourage international visitors to spend more time in the capital before travelling to other parts of the country. PickMe said many tourists currently leave Colombo within hours of arriving for beach resorts, wildlife destinations or the hill country, limiting the capital’s ability to benefit from visitor spending.
“If the visitors spend even one additional day discovering Colombo, the impact extends far beyond tourism,” Zulfer said.
“Every extra stop supports another restaurant, attraction, retailer, hotel, transport provider or entrepreneur.”
Future phases will bring museums, cultural institutions, entertainment venues, event organisers, restaurants, nightlife operators, retailers and other tourism businesses onto the platform. The users are expected to be able to discover experiences, obtain promotions, purchase tickets, arrange transport and navigate the city through the ecosystem.
PickMe said the model would eventually be extended to other destinations across Sri Lanka, connecting the travellers with attractions and experiences through a single platform.Daiky Mirror
