History of Play Granada: From Curiosity to Disruption

Play Granada's journey began with a curious mind and a desire to create positive change in the world. It all started when a young entrepreneur returned home from university in Granada, navigating the steep hill where countless tourists gathered. People would often stop and ask for directions to the San Nicolás viewpoint, a place to admire the iconic Alhambra. This sparked the entrepreneur's interest, and unknowingly, they began to gain a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy guide.

In the early 2000s, the entrepreneur realized the potential of their newfound role as a guide and started offering informal tours. The tips they received from these impromptu tours became a significant source of income, helping them sustain their student life. Wondering how many others were doing the same, the entrepreneur envisioned an app that could monitor their activity and provide valuable statistics.

Seeking to expand their reach, the entrepreneur shared their strategy with fellow students, convincing them to become guides as well. This collaborative effort allowed them to leverage their collective wisdom and create a more sustainable livelihood. However, they soon realized that closing deals with local businesses for commissions was time-consuming and challenging to track accurately.

By 2004, the entrepreneur established agreements with local businesses, primarily hostels, bars, and live shows, to work on a commission basis. However, manually managing reservations, availability, and commissions became increasingly cumbersome. To overcome these obstacles, they sought technological solutions, embracing the power of smartphones and online platforms.

The advent of the iPhone in 2007 and the use of Google Docs for accounting and management marked a turning point for Play Granada. With remote work and real-time collaboration capabilities, they could efficiently manage their growing number of tours and schedules. They continued to innovate, signing a contract with Checkfront in 2013 to streamline reservation management and inventory control.

In 2017, Pedro joined the project, bringing expertise in integrating online travel agencies (OTA) like Trip Advisor, Expedia, and Get Your Guide. As bookings soared, Play Granada faced new challenges in managing customer information, coordinating tour schedules, and providing excellent customer service. They needed an automated system to handle these tasks efficiently.

Advertising through Google AdWords initially proved fruitful, but increasing competition from larger players led Play Granada to seek a more sustainable revenue model. They created partner accounts in their booking manager, allowing employees, self-employed guides, and businesses to sell their services and vice versa. However, the process required manual payment processing, hindering efficiency.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 provided Play Granada with an opportunity to rethink their strategy. It was during this time that Virgl was born—a disruptive platform integrating microentrepreneurs, guides, and influencers. Virgl eliminated the need for online advertising, introduced smart contracts among businesses, facilitated easy recommendation of local products and services by guides, and provided a system to monetize tips and recommendations.

Today, Play Granada has evolved from a small guide service into a visionary company leading the way in transforming the tourism industry. With Virgl, they have created a revolutionary platform that brings together the collective expertise and experiences of all stakeholders, creating an interconnected network that disrupts traditional paradigms. Play Granada's passion for innovation continues to shape the future of travel and exploration.

Updated on: 19/05/2023