Doña Paz

On December 20, 1987, the oil tanker Vector collided with the Filipino ferry Doña Paz. This collision ultimately claimed 4,386 lives. At the beginning of the journey, nothing suggested that such a tragedy was about to unfold.

Conditions for the voyage were ideal. Calm seas and excellent visibility promised a smooth trip. However, despite this, the journey ended tragically. Given the ideal weather, it is believed that the sailors on both ships were to blame, as they should have easily avoided the collision.

Even more tragic is the fact that the ferry was officially supposed to carry only around fifteen hundred passengers. In reality, there were almost three times as many. This is why the sinking of the Doña Paz rightfully belongs among the worst maritime disasters ever.

Titanic

The Titanic is undoubtedly one of the most famous ships of all time. Its tragic fate is equally well-known.

Unlike most other ships, the Titanic enjoyed only one voyage. At the time, it was believed to be an unsinkable vessel. There were many good reasons for this belief. The ship was built using the best technologies of the time. It also had a double bottom and 16 watertight compartments. However, none of these measures protected the Titanic from sinking.

On April 14, 1912, the ship struck an iceberg. The collision was so severe that it damaged the hull, causing the first three compartments to flood. This was fatal, as the vessel could only remain afloat if two or fewer compartments were flooded. From the moment the Titanic struck the iceberg, it had only a few hours before sinking.

This maritime disaster claimed the lives of 1,514 passengers. Many of them could theoretically have been saved. However, there were not enough lifeboats on board. Purchasing such an accessory for an unsinkable ship likely seemed to the owners of the Titanic like an unnecessarily expensive luxury.

Wilhelm Gustloff

The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff was somewhat downplayed by journalists at the time, as it occurred during the largest conflict in human history. However, this does not make the sinking of this luxury liner any less of a tragedy.

Wilhelm Gustloff was a showcase of the Third Reich. During peacetime, it served as a cruise ship for Nazi party members, and during the war, it functioned as a floating barracks. It was sunk on January 30, 1945.

The ship was successfully torpedoed by the Soviet submarine S-13. At the time, there were around ten thousand refugees on board, including both civilians and soldiers fleeing the wrath of the Red Army.

The sinking of the ship resulted in the deaths of approximately nine thousand people, making this incident the largest maritime disaster in history.

Introduction to Gamification

Gamification is the process of applying game elements and principles to other areas with the aim of increasing interest and motivation. In the travel industry, this may include challenges, competitions, rewards, and other game elements.

This innovative method is becoming increasingly popular and is used not only in the travel industry but also in marketing, education, and healthcare.

Benefits of Gamification for Travel Agencies

Gamification in the travel industry can help travel agencies gain more customers and retain existing customers, increase profits, and improve the customer experience.

Customers can also learn more about the destinations offered, which contributes to their satisfaction and loyalty.

Examples of Gamification in Practice

Interactive maps where customers collect virtual points for visiting different locations and discovering new attractions are an example of gamification in the travel industry.

Other examples include competitions where customers collect badges for successfully completing tasks such as sharing vacation photos, writing reviews, or participating in local events. These badges can be exchanged for discounts or gifts.

Virtual Tours of Destinations

Another possibility of gamification in travel agencies is to create virtual tours of destinations that are interactive and include various game elements, such as searching for hidden treasures or completing tasks related to local culture.

This allows customers to explore the destination before departure and get an idea of what to expect.

Platforms for Travel Agencies

There are several apps and platforms that enable travel agencies to create a gamified experience for their customers.

Tripit, for example, allows for trip planning with game elements, while Roadtrippers motivates discovering unknown locations through rewards and challenges.

Another app is TerraHunt, which allows creating interesting guided tours of cities and other tourist attractions in a competitive format.

These apps help customers have fun while planning their vacation and become an essential part of the travel industry.

Gaming Platform for Resorts and Cities

TerraHunt is a gaming platform specializing in outdoor, indoor, and virtual games. This platform offers an exciting opportunity for hotels, resorts, municipalities, and cities to enrich their offerings for tourists and support tourism.

Using the TerraHunt gaming platform, these entities can create their own treasure hunt games that attract visitors to explore local attractions, history, or culture, thereby supporting the local economy and regional development.

Not Just in the Footsteps of Grapes

The game “Not Just in the Footsteps of Grapes,” set in the picturesque environment of Vican Winery, is a clear example of how this platform can be effectively utilized.

On a route of approximately one hour, players will find 18 treasures, each with its own riddle or challenge, guiding them through all corners of this South Moravian winery.

The fun and interactive element of the game attracts visitors who can look forward not only to discovering hidden treasures but also to tasting select wines from Vican Winery.

When the Sommelier Creates the Game

The head sommelier of Vican Winery, Lenka Maloňová, who personally created the game, expressed her enthusiasm: “Collaborating with the Z-AGENCY team, who developed the TerraHunt gaming platform, has opened up entirely new possibilities for us to introduce our world of wine to a broader audience.

The game is not only entertaining but also educational and represents a great way to connect digital technologies with the real world.”

Experiences Serving Tourism

Z-AGENCY, behind the TerraHunt platform, emphasizes that their platform is flexible and easily adaptable to the needs of various locations and organizations. “Our solution for Vican Winery demonstrates how TerraHunt can be used to support tourism.

We bring original experiences that cities, municipalities, and businesses in the tourism sector can use to attract and engage visitors,” adds Jiří Zmidloch, managing director of Z-AGENCY s.r.o.

Why Choose Treasure Hunt Prague

Treasure Hunt Prague is an excellent choice for corporate events, team building sessions, or meetings with business partners. Here are several key reasons to select this program:

• Advanced Technology and Interactivity: The event utilizes GPS-enabled tablets with the interactive TerraHunt app, creating an engaging, high-tech experience that keeps participants involved and entertained.

• Fun Combined with Learning: More than just a competition, Treasure Hunt Prague also serves as an unconventional city tour. Teams visit famous Prague landmarks and answer quiz questions or solve challenges related to these sites, ensuring they have fun while learning interesting facts about the city.

• Team Collaboration and Competitive Spirit: Treasure Hunt emphasizes team collaboration – participants must jointly strategize to collect as many treasures as possible within a given timeframe. Healthy competition is encouraged through live scoring updates, promoting teamwork, strategic thinking, and time management skills.

• Suitable for Everyone: Treasure Hunt does not require special skills or physical fitness. Employees across all age groups and job roles can participate, making it an inclusive activity suitable for diverse and international teams.

• Flexible and Scalable: The program can accommodate groups of various sizes – from small teams to hundreds of participants. It is available in both Czech and English, and the game can be organized year-round, day or night, and customized according to your company’s specific needs.

• Cost-Effective Solution: Compared to traditional corporate events, Treasure Hunt Prague offers excellent value by combining memorable experiences, knowledge gain, and enhanced team spirit at an affordable price.

• Proven Client Satisfaction: Companies ranging from SMEs to global corporations, including KPMG Czech Republic and DHL Express, have praised the professional organization and positive impact of the Treasure Hunt on their teams. Client testimonials consistently highlight its effectiveness and lasting impression.

How Treasure Hunt Prague Works

The Treasure Hunt Prague experience is carefully designed to be smooth, clear, and highly engaging for all participants. A typical program scenario unfolds as follows:

1. Introduction and Team Formation: Everything begins with a group meeting at a pre-agreed location in central Prague, usually near Rudolfinum or Prague Castle. An experienced instructor welcomes participants, explains the game rules, and demonstrates how to use the tablet application. Teams are then formed, and each group receives a tablet with the game ready to play.

2. Treasure Hunt – Game in the City Center: Teams head out into the streets of Prague, using the interactive map on their tablets to locate virtual treasures. They are free to choose the order of treasures, making strategy and teamwork essential for success. When a team arrives at a treasure location, the tablet automatically launches a challenge or quiz question related to that site. Team members collaborate to find the correct answers or complete tasks, such as taking a team selfie at the location or filling in missing information. Each successfully completed task earns points.
   
   All team scores are continuously uploaded online, allowing participants to see live updates of their current ranking and the scores of competing teams. This real-time scoring adds excitement, as teams know exactly how many points they need to overtake their competitors. The game lasts for a predetermined time, typically around two hours of active play, providing an engaging and exciting treasure hunt filled with laughter, suspense, and discovery.

3. Evaluation and Program Conclusion: Once the game’s time limit expires, the application automatically ends the game, and all teams return to the starting location. The organizer then announces the winning team and presents prizes if included in the program. The event concludes with a brief recap of the experience and a group photo session for the winners.

Location and Customization Options

Treasure Hunt Prague takes place in the heart of Prague, covering the most interesting parts of the historic city center.

Participants explore picturesque streets of the Old Town, New Town, Lesser Town, and areas around Prague Castle and Hradčany, visiting iconic landmarks such as Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Powder Tower, and St. Vitus Cathedral.

Participants experience Prague’s famous sights actively through interactive tasks and quizzes, enhancing their exploration experience. The built-in GPS map ensures that even participants unfamiliar with the city can easily navigate to each treasure location.

The Treasure Hunt can be highly customized to suit the needs of your company. Typically, the program begins and ends near Rudolfinum in Old Town, an easily accessible location.

However, for larger groups, spacious venues like Hradčany Square or Stromovka Park may be used. Alternatively, the event can start and finish at your company headquarters, a conference center, or a nearby hotel.

The game can be conducted in Czech or English, making it suitable for international teams. Treasure Hunt Prague can be held year-round, adapting to your seasonal or scheduling needs.

Why Invest in Quality Team Building

Quality team building events like Treasure Hunt Prague are strategic investments in your team and your organization.

They strengthen interpersonal bonds, boost morale, enhance communication, and foster a cohesive work environment, contributing directly to increased productivity and improved workplace harmony.

Auditorium in a Former Gasometer

One of the successful modern constructions in Ostrava is the development of a multifunctional hall within the original gasometer.

This bold and successful idea was realized by architect Josef Pleskot in the Dolní Vítkovice area of Ostrava, which has been transforming from an industrial area into a multipurpose center.

The original gas cylinder, seventy meters in diameter, was partially lifted by fifteen meters to place a skylight of the same diameter in its center. This development has won numerous awards.

Organica

The freshest fruit of Ostrava’s modern architecture is a multipurpose administrative building named Organica, scheduled for completion by the end of 2023.

The building comprises not only six floors with over 25,000 square meters of office space but also an adjoining park with its own furnishings and perfectly planned lighting.

Ostrava University Campus

On Černá Louka near the banks of the Ostravice River, a unique construction worth over a billion Czech crowns was completed.

The site, with two new university buildings and quality facilities for sports and the arts, has significantly transformed the Černá Louka area in Ostrava.

Gallery Plato

Near the aforementioned Ostrava University campus is the building of the former slaughterhouse.

In September 2023, the gallery Plato moved into this newly renovated building designed by Polish architect Robert Konieczny.

Ostravica – Textilia

Another unique project transforming a historical landmark into a modern structure is the former fashion house opened in 1930.

In its time, it was one of the most luxurious buildings in all of Czechoslovakia.

Today, in private hands, the building is being reconstructed according to the design of the famous Berlin-based extravagant architect Marie Frommer.

What is Treasure Hunt?

Treasure Hunt is a GPS game where participants use mobile devices and the TerraHunt map application. This app displays treasure locations hidden in a specific area.

The main objective for participants is to visit as many of these sites as possible and correctly answer questions or complete tasks associated with the treasures to earn points.

A Universal Activity for Various Clients

Treasure Hunt is an intriguing tool for hotel event managers. Due to its flexibility, the game can be tailored to both corporate clients and families on holiday. 

The TerraHunt app is available for both major mobile operating systems – iOS and Android, ensuring broad accessibility for hotel guests.

A Long-term Investment with Unlimited Use

Once created, a game can serve the hotel indefinitely. Whether the location is rich in historical landmarks or draws from natural beauty, Treasure Hunt offers entertainment and excitement for all participants.

If a resort has the game in Czech, English, and perhaps German, it will cater to the needs of all clientele.

Dozens of GPS games are already available in interesting locations, and we are happy to create a game in your area.

Easy Updates and Management

Thanks to the user-friendly administrative interface of the TerraHunt platform, hotels can easily update and manage their games.

This interface is accessible via a web browser, simplifying the editing and updating process.

Minimal Training for Staff

Hotel staff don’t require extensive training to operate Treasure Hunts. Most information is available through instructional videos on YouTube, streamlining the training process. A tutorials section is also available.

Staff will only provide QR codes to launch the games to interested parties.

Quick and Attractive Offer for Visitors

If visitors arrive at the hotel without a specific plan, Treasure Hunt is an excellent choice. The game is fun, refreshing, and offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the surroundings of the resort, guesthouse, or recreational center.

Collaboration with Z-AGENCY

The team building company Z-AGENCY is ready to collaborate with hotels, resorts, and guesthouses that want to offer their clients modern and attractive experiences.

With expertise in team building and event management, Z-AGENCY is a suitable partner for hotels looking to expand their activity offerings.

Technology from Atlantis

Atlantis is the name given to a mythical lost continent, where, it was said, a civilization flourished like no other on Earth before it. As most are aware, Atlantis did not meet a good end, at least according to the myths. It was swallowed by the sea.
 

Speculating on whether it was a natural disaster or something else that caused its demise is futile. Atlantis likely never existed. Yet, the search for it continues and will probably do so for some time.
 

But let’s return to Egypt, or rather, to its pyramids. According to some far-fetched theories, these were built by the Atlanteans.
 

After the destruction of their continent, they were said to have migrated throughout the Mediterranean and contributed, among other things, to the rapid development of Egyptian civilization.
 

It’s important to note, however, that these theories are not supported by any evidence. They are merely conjectures that serious scientists do not take seriously.

Extraterrestrial Intervention

Anyone who has seen Stargate probably has a pretty good idea of why aliens might need to build pyramids.
 

In the movie and the TV series of the same name, these monuments served as landing platforms for gigantic starships. However, Stargate was not the first to propose the theory that the pyramids were the work of extraterrestrial civilizations.
 

In the 1960s, one of the most famous creators of science fiction literature, Erich von Däniken, published his book Chariots of the Gods.
 

Therein, he elaborated on the thesis of humanity being influenced by an extraterrestrial civilization, mentioning the Egyptian pyramids among other things. According to him, the pyramids could have primarily a symbolic function.
 

This slight suggestion was soon developed further by other sci-fi authors, making the theory of the extraterrestrial origin of the Egyptian pyramids among the most popular today.

The Real Builders

Although the theories mentioned above are enticing, the truth is that the Egyptian pyramids were built by the Egyptians themselves. Until recently, however, no one had a comprehensive idea of how such massive projects could have been realized by people with the technology of the time.
 

Especially, the transportation of large blocks must have been an incredible challenge.
 

The answer, however, is quite simple. The river was used for transportation. Today, the river is kilometers away from the pyramids at Giza, but during the time of construction, the Nile reached this area. This is also supported by the latest research from scientists in France.