Tomi tourist information points already have landed in Portimão and Olhão, with additional sleek units arriving soon in Faro and Vila Real de Santo António.
The ‘interactive digital platform’ inside the Tomi units provides useful information to visitors. The stand-alone information points are supplied by Canal Algarve a subsidiary of the region’s business association, ACRAL, in partnership with TomiWorld.
This software company from Viseu developed the technology and are supplying the 'giant interactive tablets' which now have been installed in Alvor, Mexilhoeira Grande, Praia da Rocha as well as Portimão and Olhão.
"In the near future, the network of interactive billboards that provide information to those visiting or residing in the location - what to do, where to go and how to get around - will expand Lagoa, Lagos and Tavira council areas," said an ACRAL spokesman.
The 2m high ‘box with a screen’ displays local news, the area’s cultural agenda, points of interest such as parks and monuments, restaurants, shops and the details of local public transport.
The touch screen also caters for those who are addicted to ‘selfies’ Tomi will take one of you which, through some wizardry, can be sent via email and posted on social networks.
There has been no comment yet from the region's Tourist Information centre management. These traditional information shops are run by the regional tourist board under Desiderio Silva and stick to normal shop opening times.
The TOMI information points lack the human touch but offer information in a clear, intuitive format and are in tune with the way that most tourists access information.
