Ever landed in a new city and felt overwhelmed, unsure of where to start exploring? Abiodun Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Nearvana, understands that feeling all too well. Having lived in multiple cities and countries, he recognized the challenge of truly connecting with a new place. Now, he’s launching an innovative solution right at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to help travelers do just that.
Nearvana: Bridging the Digital and Physical Worlds
Johnson, along with CTO Jay Jackson, co-founded Nearvana, a platform designed to leverage location data for more meaningful real-world experiences. They noticed a disconnect: while online experiences are highly personalized, navigating and discovering places in the physical world often lags behind. Nearvana aims to change that, especially for travelers who need immediate access to local information.
Their mission is to help people, particularly those visiting a new city, easily find nearby events, places, and unique experiences. It’s about making the transition from traveler to local feel more seamless and exciting.
Interactive Kiosks at JFK
The latest innovation from Nearvana is an interactive kiosk, which launched in May at JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 baggage claim. This user-friendly kiosk allows travelers, while waiting for their luggage, to explore a variety of New York City offerings. With tabs for tourist activities, events, and places, users can easily search options across all five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
Once travelers find something that sparks their interest, they can scan a QR code. This directs them to Nearvana’s web app, Nia, where they can access all the information. A dedicated mobile app is also set to launch soon on the Google Play and Apple App stores. Johnson highlighted that popular searches include speakeasy bars, rooftop bars, tourist activities, and parks, indicating a strong desire for authentic local experiences.
Enhancing the Passenger Experience
The goal is to significantly enhance the passenger experience by providing immediate, accessible information. Johnson emphasized that these kiosks create “moments of touch points that basically elicit great emotion.” Users have reportedly enjoyed having technology at their fingertips to help them navigate the city right after landing. The kiosk has already logged over 2,660 sessions, with users actively engaging for an average of one minute and 30 seconds.
The success of the initial kiosk has led to its expansion within Terminal 4, including a charging station for travelers’ devices. JFK Terminal 4 is known for embracing innovation, making it an ideal partner for Nearvana’s technology. This collaboration is particularly timely with New York City set to host the World Cup, offering a valuable tool for navigating fans.
The Future of Personalized Discovery
Looking ahead, Nearvana plans to further personalize the user experience. By December, they aim to launch an AI chatbot within the Nia app. This chatbot will learn user preferences based on their interactions, likes, and visited places to offer increasingly tailored recommendations. The company is also exploring AI to automate local purchases in the future.
Have you used Nearvana’s kiosks at JFK, or would you find them helpful? What are your favorite ways to discover new experiences when traveling? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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