HolidayIQ.com has launched a series of offline mobile travel guides, in conjunction with the Indian tourism ministry, covering more than 1,300 destinations in India.
Each guide needs to be downloaded but gives a native app experience, even if the user's phone is not connected to the internet.
The guides features advice on what to do and where to stay and includes photos, reviews and maps.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference, with Dr. Lalit K Panwar, a secretary at the Indian Ministry of Tourism (pictured above, left) saying:
"This is a well thought-through innovation by HolidayIQ [and a] commendable effort by the HolidayIQ team to provide access to a large database of travel information."
HolidayIQ founder and CEO Hari Nair (pictured above, right) added:
"With issues of internet connectivity during travel, especially when travelling in rural pockets of the country, jungles, desserts, hilly areas etc, the offline guides will certainly prove to be every traveller’s boon."
Elsewhere, Nair has been in talks with existing investors Tiger Global and Accel Partners over a fresh funding round, earmarked to ramp up its mobile offering. Staffing is a key part of this expansion, with HolidayIQ looking to secure talent from Indian's technology and management institutions.