Salmon Arm's new interactive tourism information kiosks are temporarily switched off while work is done to ensure they can only be used as intended.
People who attended Salmon Arm's 55+ Games torch lighting event at Marine Peace Park on Friday evening, June 7, may have seen the interactive sign there finally switched on and in operation, its giant touch screen ready to connect visitors with things to see, do and experience in the community.
There are three such stationary signs, one at Marine Park, one at Rogers Arena (Shaw Centre) and the third at the Ross Street Plaza. There's also a portable version, all of which are overseen by the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS)
On Sunday evening, June 9, the interactive screen at Marine Park was displaying content not selected by SAEDS. At one point it was displaying a dating website.
The following morning the signs were dark once more.
"As soon as we were notified, we shut the kiosk down," said SAEDS economic development manager Lana Fitt on Monday, June 10. "They've been shut down as of early this morning, and we won't reactivate them until we can address this and make sure they stay securely in that kiosk mode for the duration of their operation."
Fitt explained someone had been able to "breach the kiosk mode" on the one sign and access the internet for content that "wasn't visitor information related." She was optimistic the matter would soon be addressed and the signs back on to serve their intended purpose.
"They're populated with visitor information so they're a great resource for visitors to access current information on experiences and activities to do in our community," said Fitt, noting the information can be accessed in multiple languages. "Everything from tourism experiences to accommodations to events to foodie opportunities, there are itineraries on the kiosk for families to find out what they can do in our community."
Information from the kiosks can be downloaded to your smartphone.
Fitt said the interactive signs can be customized with information reflective of the season and/or specific events/experiences.
"The intent is to encourage visitors to stay another day in our community, to experience more than they would have ordinarily by being provided this type of information," said Fitt.
For more information, visit saeds.ca.