Trip planning service Traxo launches a new FourSquare-type service this week aimed at rewarding users every time they visit a new place on their travels.
Traxo Travel Trophies works by tracking and sharing so-called "travel accomplishments", a combination of places users report themselves and those with a confirmed reservation.
The idea is to allow users to build up FourSquare badge-like trophies which are then passed around the network of fellow members of the service.
Founder and CEO Andres Fabris says:
"We know much has been written about the game-ification of things, but we believe (Cities I’ve visited and Where I’ve Been have proven) that travel is quite high on the hierarchy of what people actually care to talk and hear about, certainly much more interesting than what my virtual cow had for lunch."
The award of user trophies works in a number of ways, including when a user visits a destination or country (Regional Trophies) and types of loyalty programmes a user belongs to.
Users will automatically receive trophies back-dated for previous visits recorded on the Traxo system. The sharing element works in the usual way, allowing users to post their accomplishments via Facebook and Twitter.