Philippine tourism info made available through QR codes

By eGov Innovation Editors | Jan 2, 2012

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Philippine wireless provider Smart Communications (Smart) and Cebu-based website MyCebu.ph have partnered to deliver information on tourism and heritage sites to mobile phones and tablets through quick response or QR code scanning.

Special markers were placed on tourism and heritage sites all over Cebu province. Each marker contains information about the site and a QR code. When scanned, it opens to an article about the landmark.

To access the information, users mast have QR readers on their smartphones and must be connected to the Internet.

“The project showcases journalism that takes full advantage of new technology to deliver information to people,” said Marlen Limpag, MyCebu.ph editor, “With the project, people are able to read on their phone or tablet about historic events right at where these happened.”

Limpag stressed, however, that the project isn’t purely historical or heritage. “Tourists can also get tips on how to get the most of their stay right at the tourist spot they are visiting.”

Smart and MyCebu.ph, in partnership with the Department of Tourism also launched “A Guide To Cebu 2012,” an electronic guidebook on Cebu. It will be sold on Amazon and other online bookstores but will also be made available for free download at the airport, Ayala Center Cebu, hotels and other locations frequented by tourists.

During the launch of the applications, guests were treated to a short heritage walk at the historic Barangay Pari-an, showcasing the QR code marker for the San Juan Bautista Parish Church, which is said to be the most opulent church in the province during the Spanish era.

Limpag, however, disclosed that the stakeholders in the project look forward to using other technologies like using Near Field Communications (NFC), which Smart pioneered in the Philippines, and expand the coverage to more important tourism and historical sites in the province.