Transforming Winter Tourism: Helvetas Kyrgyzstan’s Strategic Digital Upgrade

The project faced the unique challenge of describing more than 5000 photographs with alt text, an essential task for accessibility and SEO. This required leveraging Drupal’s auto_alter module based on Microsoft Azure to automate the alt text generation and using Drupal Lingotek for automatic translation into Russian. Given the website’s multilingual support for both English and Russian, efficient and accurate translation solutions were imperative to ensure seamless accessibility for all users.

BlueMelon approached the challenges with a strategic blend of advanced technologies and innovative solutions. Understanding the importance of detailed and accurate descriptions for each photograph, we leveraged the power of Drupal 10, which provided a robust foundation for the project. To manage the extensive media library, we integrated Drupal Media, ensuring efficient handling of various media types.

One of the standout features was the implementation of Drupal auto_alter using Microsoft Azure. This allowed for the automated generation of alt text for over 5000 photographs, dramatically reducing the manual effort required. To ensure that these descriptions were accessible to a wider audience, Drupal Lingotek was utilized for automatic translation into Russian, maintaining the site's multilingual capabilities.

To further enhance the user experience, Drupal Search API was deployed, providing advanced search functionalities. This enabled users to quickly and easily find the media they needed. Additionally, Drupal Paragraphs, Exif, and Fivestar modules were integrated to improve content management and rating capabilities, ensuring that every piece of content was organized and easily accessible.

The front-end was developed using Alpine.JS and Tailwind CSS, resulting in a responsive and modern user interface that significantly enhanced the overall user experience.

The implementation phase was a carefully orchestrated process, designed to ensure that each element of the project was seamlessly integrated and fully functional. BlueMelon began with the Drupal 10 setup, configuring a custom template that supported the multilingual requirements of the project. This foundational work laid the groundwork for the subsequent phases.

Building the media library was a critical step. The library featured editorial, partner, and photographer content types, along with interactive map views. This organization facilitated easier navigation and improved user experience, making it simple for users to locate specific content.

To tackle the monumental task of describing over 5000 photographs, BlueMelon integrated Microsoft Azure with Drupal auto_alter. This automated process saved countless hours of manual work, ensuring that each image was accurately described with consistent alt text.

The multilingual aspect of the project was addressed through the implementation of Drupal Lingotek. This solution seamlessly translated alt texts into Russian, ensuring that the website was accessible to a broader audience. This integration maintained the quality of translations, crucial for the site's effectiveness in both English and Russian.

EXIF data fields were meticulously mapped to enhance photo management, providing detailed metadata for each photograph. This step was vital for organizing and categorizing the extensive media collection, ensuring that users could easily find and use the images they needed.

The inclusion of YouTube video support added a dynamic element to the media library, enriching the user experience with multimedia content. This setup was seamlessly integrated into the Drupal environment, providing a cohesive and engaging user interface.

Finally, the advanced search capabilities were configured using Drupal Search API. This included setting up filters, facets, and indexing to ensure that users could quickly and efficiently find the media and information they were looking for.

Throughout each phase, precision and attention to detail were paramount. BlueMelon ensured that the new system was not only functional but also provided a significant improvement over the previous setup, enhancing both user experience and operational efficiency.

The creation of the Winter Tourism Library resulted in a sophisticated and highly functional digital resource. The automation of alt text generation and translation allowed for efficient handling of a vast number of photographs, making the content accessible to a broader audience.

The advanced search functionalities significantly improved user experience, enabling stakeholders and press entities to easily access the vast collection of photographs. The seamless integration of multilingual support broadened the website's reach, fostering greater engagement and interaction.

Key achievements included:

• Efficient Workflow: The automated processes for alt text generation and translation streamlined the content management workflow.
• Accessible and User-Friendly: The advanced search capabilities and multilingual support ensured the website was accessible and easy to navigate for a diverse audience.
• Dynamic Content Integration: The incorporation of multimedia elements such as YouTube videos enriched the user experience, making the site more engaging and informative.

These outcomes established the Winter Tourism Library as a valuable resource for promoting Kyrgyzstan's winter tourism, effectively showcasing the region's offerings to a global audience.