ECHI is an independent cultural project born to value Abruzzo. It unites citizens, travelers and local experts in a choral narration of places, fusing civic participation, cultural disclosure and conscious discovery.
Through the four keys of sensory reading — Experience, Typology, Atmosphere and Style — the platform goes beyond the classic tourist map. The introduction of a soundtrack for each place adds a cinematic dimension: it does not overpower the physical space, but amplifies its emotional perception.
Viewer
Observe, Locate, Visit
Open the map. Browse places already listed and discover new destinations across Abruzzo.
Read the place identity. Each card uses four simple keys: Experience, Typology, Atmosphere, and Style.
Listen to the soundtrack. Music accompanies discovery and adds a more personal and memorable interpretation of each place.
Explorer
Find, Enter, Value
Find and select a place. Choose somewhere you know well and that deserves to be told with care.
Describe it clearly. Combine Experience, Typology, Atmosphere, and Style in a way that is coherent and useful for people browsing the map.
Add the soundtrack. Choose a track that interprets the character of the place. Sensitivity matters more than special effects.
Owner
Manage, Update, Insert Events
Claim ownership. If you run a business already on the map, you can request ownership by entering your VAT number, business phone, and company email (only if you are not already an Explorer).
Unlock the Owner Panel. Once your details are verified, activate the Premium subscription (monthly or yearly) to unlock your dedicated in-app dashboard.
Add Temporary Events. Manage your business information exclusively and publish temporary events (festivals, fairs, exhibitions) visible to all users on the map in real time.
Frequently asked questions
General What is ECHI?
ECHI is a sensory map dedicated to discovering Abruzzo. It enhances every place by combining carefully written descriptions with a custom soundtrack that amplifies its character and atmosphere.
General Who can use ECHI?
Browsing the content is free and open to everyone. Anyone who wants to contribute can request the Explorer role from the app for free and start adding and telling the story of places with care and quality.
General Why is the soundtrack important?
Music goes beyond the limits of plain text information. The soundtrack adds atmosphere, emotion, and a unique sense of identity, making the story of a place highly memorable and recognizable.
General Does ECHI replace traditional guides?
No. It complements them with a sensory and emotional perspective. It does not simply indicate a destination, but tells how a place is truly perceived and experienced. It is a human atlas curated by real people, free from algorithms.
General How do you delete your account?
You can delete your account directly from the mobile app by following this path: Profile -> Profile actions -> Delete account. After opening your personal profile, tap the profile actions button and select the account deletion option to start the procedure. The request deletes your account and all personal data connected to it, including the associated email address and, for Owner accounts, the registered VAT number as well.
Viewer What do the icons in the bottom navigation menu represent?
The bottom navigation bar is the main tool for exploring the ECHI mobile app and accessing all its key features:
SearchOpens the smart search panel to quickly find towns, specific places, or filter the map through sensory tags.
LanguageLets you change the app language in real time, choosing between Italian, English, Spanish, French, German, and Ukrainian.
Tastes / Sensory FiltersLets you choose your sensory preference tags (Experience, Typology, Atmosphere, Style) to personalize and filter the map in real time while always keeping results available.
Guide and InformationOpens this information section with the quick guide and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Locate your places (Explorers only)Allows Explorers to highlight only the places added with their own account.
Locate your owned place (Owner only)Allows Owners to highlight only their own place.
🐋
Personal ProfileGives access to your personal card, where you can view your stats, saved-place wishlist, and customize your author profile.
Viewer How do you customize and edit your author profile?
Inside your personal area, by tapping the edit profile option, you can customize your author card by defining the following key elements:
Profile image (Avatar)Upload your photo or a representative image so visitors and other community members can recognize you.
Nickname (Handle) important!Defines your unique username (for example @marco). It is essential because it uniquely identifies the authorship of your stories and your signature on the map.
Personal mottoA short impactful phrase or meaningful quote that sums up your travel philosophy or your passion for telling the story of Abruzzo.
Biography (Bio)A short presentation text (maximum 160 characters) to describe who you are, your passions, or the special bond that connects you to this land.
Choose your symbol (Emoji)Choose an identifying emoji. It will act as a fallback avatar if you do not upload a photo, and it will appear for your map markers and in your personal profile.
Card backgroundChoose a color tone or gradient to customize the background of your author card, making it unique and aligned with your style.
Save profileOnce you have completed or edited the fields, tap the save button to make all changes immediately active on your account and visible to the public.
Viewer What do the icons in the top menu represent?
The top navigation bar, placed above the map, offers quick access to the platform's visual identity and to notification, update, and messaging services:
ECHI logo / Map viewRepresents the identity of the project. It shows the title "ECHI" and indicates in real time the total number of places currently visible on the map.
Real-time feedShows the continuous flow of the latest places added and all recent updates, reviews, and contributions shared by community Explorers.
Notifications and Messages (Chat)Lets you access fully encrypted private internal messaging to exchange information and collaborate safely with other members.
Viewer What do the icons at the bottom of a place card represent?
At the bottom of a place card, up to 8 interactive icons may appear, each linked to a specific app feature:
Listen to the informationLets you listen to the description and spoken audio summary of the texts uploaded for the place.
Go - Show directionShows the direction or opens navigation to plan the route to the place.
Add to my wishlistAdds or removes the place from your personal wishlist so you can find it again easily.
Assign a badge to this ExplorerLets you award a crown or quality recognition to the Explorer who added the place.
Invite a friend to this place Lets you send an invitation for this specific place to other users and friends. To send the invitation, you need to know the user's nickname (handle). This ensures strict privacy.
Place phone numberStarts a direct phone call to the official phone number of the place.
WebsiteLinks to and opens the official page or website of the place directly.
Ownership requestAllows Owners to request ownership of their place.
Viewer What happens when you click the Explorer image on a place card?
By clicking the Explorer's profile photo or account image inside a place card, their personal profile card opens, where several actions are available:
Ranking informationLets you view the Explorer's detailed statistics, quality level (from LV1 to LV5), and Trust Signals assigned by the Editorial Team.
Become a followerYou can follow the Explorer so you do not miss future places they add and actively support their work on the map.
Send a direct messageLets you write a private direct message to the Explorer to request information or collaborate. All in-app internal messaging is encrypted to ensure maximum security and privacy.
Explorer How do you become an Explorer?
Anyone can request to become an Explorer for free directly from the app by following these simple steps in their profile:
1. Open your profile: Tap the 🐋 Profile icon on the right side of the bottom navigation bar.
2. Open actions: Inside your personal card, tap the button with the three horizontal dots (Profile Actions) on the right.
3. Start the request: Select the "Become an Explorer" option.
4. Verify and confirm: Enter your phone number, tap "Send code by email", and type the 6-digit code received by email to complete the application.
No technical skills are required, only the commitment, authenticity, and editorial care needed to describe and enhance the wonderful places of Abruzzo.
Explorer What is the difference between a Viewer and an Explorer?
The Viewer is the traveler who explores the map, consults places, and listens to soundtracks. The Explorer is the active storyteller who selects, carefully describes, and publishes places with accuracy and editorial sensitivity.
Explorer Do you need a long description to publish a place?
No. Effectiveness matters more than length. We prefer concise, authentic, useful descriptions for travelers. A few well-chosen words that convey the essence, style, and atmosphere of a place work better than a long text.
Explorer Do the details added by an Explorer become available on the map immediately?
Yes. Publishing is instant. Every new place or update entered by an Explorer appears on the map in real time and can be viewed immediately by everyone. Afterwards, the Editorial Team reviews the content for consistency and compliance with the guidelines.
Explorer Can a Viewer recognize how reliable an Explorer is?
Absolutely. Each card clearly shows the Explorer's ranking level (from LV1 to LV5) and Trust Signals (editorial recognitions) assigned by the Editorial Team. This transparency lets anyone quickly recognize the accuracy, experience, and reliability of the author's work.
Explorer Which indicators help an Explorer move up in the ranking?
The system calculates the ranking level (from LV1 to LV5) by evaluating consistency, accuracy, and community appreciation. The main factors contributing to the score are organized into these key indicators:
Texts and descriptionsCareful writing, accurate information, and respect for community guidelines.
Music pairingCareful and sensitive selection of soundtracks associated with the identity of the place.
Photo qualitySelection of real, evocative, high-resolution photos of the Abruzzo territory.
Following and popularityGrowth in follower count and overall appreciation from the community.
Recognitions and badgesNumber of quality badges received from other users and Trust Signals assigned by the Editorial Team.
Owner Who can become an Owner on ECHI?
All managers and owners of commercial, cultural, food and wine, or tourism activities already mapped on the platform. To preserve the editorial neutrality of the map, ownership is reserved for Viewer accounts (active Explorers cannot apply).
Owner Can anyone claim a place on the map?
Yes, if you are the actual owner of a business already added to the map by Explorers. By filling in the business claim form with your VAT number and contact details, you can become its official Owner.
Owner Which data are required for an ownership claim?
To validate ownership of the place, we require the business VAT number (11 digits), a business phone contact, and an official contact email for routine administrative checks.
Owner What are the benefits of the Owner Panel?
The Owner Panel unlocks exclusive centralized management of your place. You can edit information in real time (contacts, website, description, tags, and soundtrack) and, above all, add and update Temporary Events (exhibitions, fairs, festivals, concerts) that will appear on every Viewer's map in real time.
Owner What are the costs and available plans?
ECHI offers two flexible premium subscription plans with secure Stripe transactions:
• Monthly Plan: €5.00/ month (ideal for seasonal events).
• Yearly Plan: €45.00/ year (save 37%, recommended for businesses open all year round).
