Citypath: your personal city guide

Citypath logo

We haven't often felt so thrilled as when talking about Citypath. When describing the concept to others, we always introduce it as a genious business idea launched at the perfect moment. Citypath, founded by Bernard Van der Elst and Jonas Hamerlinck, is a new digital platform in Ghent connecting locals, merchants and tourists while guiding them through the city. And there's so much more to be revealed soon.

ROSIE & THE RABBITS: When did you start thinking about a platform like Citypath?

JONAS HAMERLINCK (founder & owner Citypath): More or less one year ago Bernard, as owner of a digital signage office, and I, owning a graphical office  (www.clouddesign.be), decided to do something together. The first plans for Ghent Digital were there and the city of Ghent was just one of several interested parties. There was a need for some kind of platform on which merchants could publish all their information and people could easily find this information back. Originally we wanted to develop a platform mainly for tourists, but in the meantime a lot has changed and locals will be involved just as much. We have big plans and there's a lot of interest from all kind of stakeholders, but first we want it to succeed on a local level and the main purpose now is for all 4000 merchants in Ghent to register for free on Citypath.be. The website is very user-friendly; our starting point is that anyone should be able to find any information in maximum three clicks.

ROSIE & THE RABBITS: Did you have the feeling Ghent was missing this kind of platform?

JONAS HAMERLINCK: Yes, we did. Of course there are tourist guides, but together with the deaneries and the umbrella organisations we indicated all the flaws of these existing concepts. The nice thing about Citypath is that the registered merchants can communicate with each other through the dashboard. The purpose is that they really manage their projects and events using our user-friendly system. Registering is always free; in the future there will be a commercial model behind it, allowing merchants to put special offers online. By rolling out Citypath we hope to boost local economy. 

ROSIE & THE RABBITS: There are big plans for Citypath; the official launch will take place on 19 March and an app will be added in June for example. Can we already get a glimpse of it?

JONAS HAMERLINCK: The city app will offer a lot of possibilities: tourists will be able to plan their complete trip on beforehand, for locals it will indicate parking spots, and much more. We are cooperating with museums, event organizers, cultural houses, etc. in order to make the information we offer as complete as possible.

On 19 March we also launch Mypath, a community which allows people to start exploring. More details to be given next week at the big launch!

ROSIE & THE RABBITS: Do other cities already have this kind of platform? Did you get inspiration for Citypath somewhere abroad?

JONAS HAMERLINCK: No, not at all. We're now launching Citypath in Ghent and are negotiating with other cities. But first we want to focus on Ghent, optimize Citypath here and make sure it’s feasible from a financial point of view as well. 

ROSIE & THE RABBITS: How do you reach these traders and spread the Citypath message?

JONAS HAMERLINCK: Everyone in Ghent with a VAT number received a letter about Citypath signed by alderman Christophe Peeters. On top we also have our own marketing via mailing, social media, etc. There will also be a lot of stunts and Citypath will be omnipresent: from Night Shift over Gentse Feesten to an oldtimer rally. And everyone liking our Facebook page automatically participates in our monthly competitions and offers so don't miss it!

Still not shaking on your chair? Come and have a look & chat with the Citypath people at Nightshift, a (party)event for young entrepreneurs on 23 March from 19:00 - 5:00.



www.citypath.be

www.facebook.com/Citypath

www.night-shift.be