Immerse App
Maya Hobman
Massey University College of Creative Arts
Immerse is a travel app guiding visitors in Aotearoa to make sustainable travel choices while enjoying an engaging, localised experience. Rooted in the principles of slow travel, Immerse encourages users to stay within one region, use eco-friendly transport, and connect deeply with local communities and cultures. Through personalised recommendations based on budget, interests, and location, Immerse promotes conscious travel that reduces emissions and supports locally owned businesses. The app highlights sustainable activities, offers tips for culturally respectful behaviour, and provides insights into native wildlife — helping users experience Aotearoa in an authentic and enriching way. Employing a “Trojan Horse” strategy, Immerse subtly prompts users to adopt sustainable habits as natural extensions of their travel experience. Actions like limiting distance travelled are framed as opportunities for deeper connection, not compromises. By blending sustainability, cultural respect, and local engagement, Immerse transforms trip planning into a rewarding journey.