Devon App Aims to Transform How Visitors Discover Local Life in Real Time
The community-driven platform, first launched in Brixham, is now live in Paignton and Torquay with further expansion planned across Devon, allowing local businesses to share real-time events, offers and attractions directly with visitors.
A new digital platform is aiming to change how tourists explore Devon by putting live, locally curated information directly into visitors’ hands as soon as they arrive in an area.
Mapzest, a location-based visitor guide launched in Brixham and now expanding across Paignton and Torquay, allows users to access real-time information on events, offers, attractions, and hospitality venues simply by scanning a QR code or opening the app.
The platform is designed to bridge what its creator Stu Francis describes as a gap between traditional tourist guides and the fast-changing reality of what is happening locally day-to-day.
Instead of relying on static listings or generalised “top ten” recommendations, Mapzest allows businesses and venues to upload their own live updates, including events, promotions and activities. These then appear to users based on their location.
Stu said the idea came from a lack of “granular” information available to visitors once they arrive at a destination.
“There are plenty of guides covering the main attractions, but not what’s happening in the local pub tonight, or where you might find a yoga class or a small community event,” they said. “We wanted to create something that brings all of that together in one place.”
Once a user opens the app, they can browse what’s on nearby, including food and drink offers, family activities, cultural events and local attractions. Listings can include images, booking links and social media pages, with content updated directly by the venues themselves.
The platform also features themed “festival maps”, which activate during major local events and provide information such as traders, stage schedules and sponsors. It has already been used for events including the Brixham Pirate Festival, where organisers used the system to share live event details with visitors.
Stu says the long-term aim is to expand across Devon and eventually become a central visitor guide for tourist destinations, helping both tourists and local businesses connect more easily.
For businesses, the service offers a free listing option, with additional promotional tools available for a fee. Venues are encouraged to manage their own content, ensuring information remains up to date and relevant.
The platform is currently rolling out across South Devon, with Dartmouth and Totnes maps in development as part of its wider expansion plan