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VisitEngland, unveiled an ambitious new initiative using 2D bar code technology in the form of QR codes to modernise visitor information. This exciting scheme will run in Shrewsbury, Leicester, Chester, Rochester and Rutland as a pilot for six months with the aim of inspiring visitors to spend more time in the area they are visiting and stay longer.
The codes can be scanned by most smart phones using a QR reader. This transfers information providing visitors with short video clips and sound-bites describing lesser known facts or hidden gems within the vicinity where there is little or no information or guide.
James Berresford VisitEngland, Chief Executive said: “To remain competitive on the world stage we must ensure the quality of our visitor information online, via mobile technology, and in-destination is the best it can be. Modernising our visitor information is a key to England’s national tourism strategy and was highlighted as an area to address in the Government’s Tourism Policy. This is the start of a modernisation programme that will ensure visitors get the very best out of their trip in England.”
The national tourist board has been working closely with each of the destinations to create packages of information and video clips. Some of the videos focus on particular icons in the destination. Shrewsbury features four locations on the Darwin Trail including his school (now the library), and the Lion Hotel where he famously stayed. Rochester focuses on its connections with Dickens, and includes Restoration House which was the inspiration for the home of Miss Havisham in Great Expectations.
Other videos provide a general insight into the destination such as Leicester, Rutland and Chester. Leicester includes nuggets of information on The Cultural Quarter, the Golden Mile and the National Space Centre while the video for Chester provides an overview of the city, its Roman heritage, race course and great shopping.
Simon McCloy, Chief Executive, Shropshire Tourism commented “Visit England’s QR code pilot project seemed to give an ideal opportunity for Shropshire Tourism to build on our original investment in Darwin, complementing and linking to existing Darwin material and to trial new, more affordable ways of communicating the Darwin message in Shrewsbury. We were delighted to have the chance to work with Visit England on this exciting project and look forward to tracking the results over the summer.”
Success will be measured by the number of downloads from YouTube.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
