Bing to Integrate Foursquare Data into Maps

Microsoft just announced that Bing Maps is undergoing a spate of upgrades this spring. Among the most exciting for those in the tourism industry is Bing’s optional Foursquare layer. It seems that much like FourWhere, which I talked about in my last post, the Foursquare layer of Bing Maps will provide the user with real-time data that will allow you to see user’s tips as well as “who has unlocked specific badges, where and who has been crowned mayor of certain locations making it easier to explore any city in the world as if you were a local” (Bing.com).

While the Foursquare App isn’t live for everyone just yet, you can visit Maps.Bing.com and click on the Map Apps button (If you can’t see the button, click on Try It Now within the Explore the new Bing Maps button on the left side of the page) and load up their Twitter App to get a feel for how the Foursquare App will work. This kind of integration of location and user generated content is invaluable for tourism. Imagine you’re planning a trip to the Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood; simply point your browser to Bing Maps, load up the Foursquare App and you can plan your trip confident that you’re getting suggestions from the people who frequent the attractions, hotels and restaurants in the area.