Exod: The App That Turns Players’ Steps Into Donations for Cultural Heritage


Née à Montpellier (Hérault), l’application Exod convertit chaque pas en subvention pour sauver le patrimoine. @exod

CroisiEurope


Developed by GC Tech, the parent company of Génération Voyage, Exod aims to encourage users to discover heritage, especially through walking.

The concept is based on gamification. By walking, visiting places, collecting cards or completing missions, users earn “obols,” a virtual currency. The steps are captured from the phone or a connected watch, then converted within the app.

Each day, between 6 p.m. and midnight, users can participate in a communal collection. At the end of the month, Exod converts the sum into euros and donates it to a heritage restoration project.

« It’s a form of micro-philanthropy, summarizes Sylvain Morel, COO of the platform. The system aims to link a daily activity, walking, with cultural discovery and funding for local projects.»

To boost engagement, Exod draws on several successful games and apps. « We have adopted mechanics that work, such as collection, rewards and missions, but without aiming to give it a childish or fight-based angle», details Sylvain Morel.

Users can notably collect virtual stamps representing historical figures, architects, inventors or even résistants. Each card is accompanied by an anecdote. « The objective is also to transmit knowledge. We learn things without feeling like we’re taking a course », continues the company COO.


An initial donation of 708 euros

To feed its app, Exod has a catalog of approximately 20,000 points of interest in France. Built heritage sits alongside natural heritage: churches, castles, fountains, statues, forests or rivers.

« We already have a substantial base thanks to the work carried out over the past decade by Génération Voyage », indicates the COO. The existing contents are augmented by research on the sites of tourism offices and other online sources.

The platform also intends to involve its community in enriching the catalog. A feature will allow players to propose new places. « Contributions will then be moderated and validated by our team », notes Sylvain Morel.

The first donation made by Exod amounted to 708.24 euros. It was dedicated to renovating the roof of a church in Aveyron. « We try to highlight projects that are not necessarily the most publicized », stresses Sylvain Morel. However, recipients must have a structure capable of receiving donations, notably through the Fondation du patrimoine.

Users also participate in choosing projects. Each week, several operations are organized as a tournament, with selection phases up to the final. This voting system is meant to strengthen players’ involvement and also contribute to the app’s notoriety. « The idea is that users want to have their friends vote and discover Exod, » explains Sylvain Morel.


A business model still under construction


Développée par GC Tech, la maison mère de Génération Voyage, Exod s’appuie sur une mécanique de jeu pour embarquer ses utilisateurs. En bas à droite, Sylvain Morel, COO d’Exod. @exod

To fund its development, Exod is testing several revenue streams. Consent-based advertising is one avenue: users can choose to watch advertisements in exchange for in-game rewards.

The platform also plans to offer paid narrative visits. Users will be able to buy single tickets for 6.99 euros or opt for a pack of ten tickets at 39.99 euros. A premium subscription is also contemplated.

« We want to offer a more advanced experience, with narrative content and routes that allow deeper exploration », explains Sylvain Morel.

In the longer term, Exod aims to develop affiliations with travel and leisure players. The platform is considering collaborations with activity booking sites, such as GetYourGuide, Civitatis or Viator, but also with accommodation and transport providers.

« We look at everything that makes sense for our users, whether it’s booking an activity, a place to stay, or transport », says the COO. Contacts are being considered with brands such as Airbnb, Booking, Transavia or Air France, but these partnerships are still to be built.

The team first wants to stabilize the first version of the app and continue user acquisition. « Our priority is to finish the V1 and reach around 10,000 players before accelerating through the different monetization phases, » says Sylvain Morel.


Towards partnerships with tourism offices


Un mois après son lancement, Exod compte environ 6 000 à 6 500 joueurs et a fait un premier don de 708,24 euros. @exod

In September 2026, one month after its launch, Exod counts around 6,000 to 6,500 players and records more than one million steps claimed daily. The total number of steps is expected to exceed 200 million soon.

To grow its community, the platform relies in particular on the visibility of Génération Voyage, as well as on social networks. It has also entered into its first partnership with the Montpellier tourism office.

« Tourism offices have an important role to play, because they know the places and the stories that must be discovered », says Sylvain Morel. Exod therefore wants to multiply collaborations with institutional and tourism players, in France and abroad.

The app is also beginning to open up to other markets, notably in Greece. For now, it remains available in French, but a translation is planned. « We need to adapt the content and the experience to the countries where we want to develop », emphasizes the COO.

In the long term, Exod intends to broaden its action beyond built heritage. « We would also like to support projects related to wildlife, flora, but also to the transmission of know-how and education », concludes Sylvain Morel. The challenge will now be to transform the platform’s early results into a sustainable business model, while keeping its initial objective: to showcase territories by walking and playing.


Caroline Lelievre Publié par Caroline Lelievre Journaliste – TourMaG.com
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Switzerland in 3 Steps


Jura & Three-Lakes, the authentic and inspiring Switzerland



Between shimmering lakes, human-scale towns and preserved landscapes, Jura & Three-Lakes embodies an authentic, cultural, and deeply vibrant Switzerland. Here, the curious traveler discovers a destination that is accessible and remote in feel, far from Alpine clichés.

Impossible to mention the region without talking about the spectacular Creux du Van. This natural rocky amphitheater offers one of the most impressive panoramas in the country. A few kilometres away, the shores of Lake Neuchâtel invite contemplation, bike rides, or cruises between wine villages and nature reserves.

The region is also the cradle of a globally renowned craft: watchmaking. In La Chaux-de-Fonds, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its watchmaking urban planning, the industrial history is written into the very layout of the town. In Biel/Bienne, another major watchmaking hub, industrial heritage and modernity constantly converse.

The medieval lanes of Saint-Ursanne plunge visitors into a timeless atmosphere. Further south, the Chasseral offers a spectacular view over the Three-Lakes region and, on clear days, as far as the Alps.

On the culinary side, Jura & Three-Lakes asserts a bold character. La Tête de Moine, the emblematic cheese to be enjoyed in thin rosettes, tells the monastic history of Jura. Neuchâtel’s unfiltered wine, a local specialty bottled in the heart of winter, surprises with its freshness and authenticity. Along the shores of Lake Biel, terraced vineyards complete this flavourful mosaic.

Easily accessible from France, Jura & Three-Lakes constitutes a discreet alternative to the major Swiss destinations. People come here to explore a sincere Switzerland, where spectacular nature, vibrant towns, and living traditions form a concentrated array of cultural, historical, and gastronomic experiences.

Photo credits for the Jura & Three-Lakes episode: © Switzerland Tourism / Lorenz Richard, © Nicole Schafer, Freiburger Tourismusverband, Stefan Weber, david&kathrin Photography and Film GmbH, Dominik Baur, Lorenz Richard, Raffael Waldner, Guillaume Perret.



© Jura Tois-Lacs


Valais, at the Heart of the Swiss Alps

In the heart of the Swiss Alps, Valais stretches between snowy peaks, terraced vineyards, and picturesque villages. Here, the curious traveler discovers an authentic Switzerland, lively and accessible, far from alpine clichés.

Impossible to visit Valais without admiring the spectacular Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps, tucked in the Aletsch Arena region, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main viewpoints are easily accessible thanks to the View Point Package, while the Aletsch Glacier Tour offers a nature- and education-oriented immersion. For those who prefer independent exploration, the Discovery Passport simplifies travel and lets you fully enjoy the region.

In Zermatt, the Gornergrat Railway offers one of the country’s most iconic experiences. The first electric cog railway in Switzerland climbs above breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. The NostalChic Class, elegant and nostalgic, appeals to travelers seeking a premium moment, summer or winter.

In the Four Valleys, the Nendaz area is perfect for summer adventures as well as gourmet getaways. Nendaz Trekking offers three days of hiking with two nights in mountain huts, ideal for families and intermediate walkers. In winter, the Raquettes Raclette experience blends gentle walking with local gastronomy. And for a breath-taking panorama, the Mont Fort viewpoint overlooks the valley and the surrounding peaks.

On the cultural side, Stockalper Castle in Brig tells the region’s medieval and mercantile history, while Alpine traditions, like the Alphorn in Nendaz, echo the living heritage of Valais.

Easily accessible from France, Valais is a destination for its spectacular panoramas, charming villages, and authentic experiences. People come here to explore a living Switzerland, where nature, culture, and gastronomy meet in a concentration of unforgettable experiences.

Photo credits for the Valais episode : © Valais/Wallis Promotion – Pascal Gertschen, Kim Corpataux, Nico Schaerer, Tamara Berger, Lorenz Richard, Moosalp Tourismus AG, Dominik Baur, André Meier, Christian Pfammatter, Tim Bardsley-Smith, Florian Bouvet-Fournier, Christian Meixner, Nicola Fürer, Colla Images, Jan Geerk, Frederic Huber, Pascal Gertschen, Bruno Augsburger, Christian Bürgi, David Carlier, Daniel Loosli, Brig Simplon Tourismus, Giglio Pasqua.



© Switzerland Tourism


The Unmissable Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is one of Switzerland’s most sought-after tourism products and a must-have in any rail travel portfolio. Connecting the world-famous ski resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz, it offers an eight-hour panoramic journey through the Swiss Alps. It is renowned worldwide as “the slowest express train in the world” due to the emphasis placed on comfort, scenery, and the passenger experience.

Covering 291 kilometres, the route crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, delivering an exceptional panoramic experience that has become a benchmark for Alpine rail travel. The train traverses the cantons of Valais, Uri, and Graubünden, revealing iconic landscapes ranging from the Matterhorn region to the Rhine Gorge, often called the “Grand Canyon of Switzerland,” culminating in the Engadine lake region.

All cars are equipped with panoramic windows, ensuring unobstructed views, while the onboard dining serves freshly prepared dishes at your seat. These features make the journey appealing to both solo travelers and groups.

The premium segment is served by the Excellence Class, a luxury product that guarantees window-side seats, an exclusive bar, personalized concierge service, infotainment integrated into a tablet, and a five-course gourmet menu with wine pairings. Excellence Class consistently achieves high customer satisfaction and offers partners the opportunity to present a unique luxurious rail experience.

Operationally, the Glacier Express runs two trains per direction per day in winter, and four trains per direction per day in summer. The ticket required to ride is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, but seat reservations remain separate and are mandatory.

For tourism professionals, the train’s solid reputation, consistently high service quality, and high customer recommendation rates provide a reliable, low-risk product highly attractive to a broad range of client profiles. Whether included in a multi-day itinerary or sold as a flagship journey, the Glacier Express remains among Switzerland’s most sought-after rail experiences and enjoys exceptional global recognition.

Photo credits for the Glacier Express episode : © GaudenzDanuser.com, Christian Pfammatter Photography, STEFAN SCHLUMPF, Marco Schnyder, Christian Bürgi / MGBahn



Switzerland in Brief


Contact Jura & Three-Lakes


La Suisse en trois étapes
Website: www.j3l.ch/fr/

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Valais / Wallis Promotion Contact


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Website: www.valais.ch/fr

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Glacier Express Contact


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Website: https://glacierexpress.ch/fr

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Swiss Tourism Contact


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Website: www.myswitzerland.com/fr-fr/

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