Moving stories

As a tourist exploring a new city (or even your own city), nothing beats local knowledge. It’s the context and sense of history that an “insider” can offer that often sets the experience apart.

A good storyteller can also be an eye-opener, giving life to static elements and creating linkages that transform an area of streets and landmarks into a narrative to be experienced.

This use of narrative is the cornerstone of VoiceMap, a locally developed app that offers location-aware audio tours in more than 30 countries so far.

The tours are designed for walkers. There are maps and location points to refer to if you want, but — better yet — put the app in “pocket mode” (so it stays on but locks the screen), put in your earphones and let the narrator guide you.

Directions are “human friendly” (my words, not VoiceMap’s), with instructions such as “Face downhill, towards the city. There’s an alleyway just past the museum, to your right. Follow that.” This simple, descriptive format means you can keep your eyes up, rather than on your phone.

A snippet of music, an accent, chatter or the recounting of personal experiences spark in the mind, bringing the audio guides to life. For example, the guide to Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap is voiced and developed by Shereen Habib, a guide with 20 years’ experience in the area and whose family come from these streets.

The Cape Town section is packed with tours — from Green Point to Kloof Street, and the Company Gardens to Woodstock. Some are themed, such as “Slavery in the Cape” or “Being a woman in Cape Town”.

Not all towns have as many options: Hermanus offers one tour, the winelands two (both free), and Jo’burg also two (of Newtown and Braamfontein).

VoiceMap is working to grow its footprint and increase the number of tours available. Storytellers can publish on the site, retain copyright, set the price and earn royalties for their guides. The more popular a tourist destination, the more