Rutland QR Tourism Code
Discover Rutland and Visit England are pleased to unveil 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 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 (pictured right) 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.
Councillor Terry King, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, said: “We are always looking for new ways to improve the visitor experience in Rutland and this new development is very exciting. There has been a huge rise in the number of people with smartphones in recent years, and we are delighted to be part of the pilot scheme which I hope is successful”.
The national tourist board has been working closely with Discover Rutland to create packages of information and video clips focusing on the destination’s broad tourism offering. The short film features Fort Henry on the Exton Estate; Yew Tree Avenue in Clipsham, home to 150 individually clipped yew trees; and Rutland Water where visitors can enjoy the wildlife and a number of watersports.
James Berresford Visit England, 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.”
Success will be measured by the number of downloads from YouTube.
For more information about Tourism in Rutland visit www.discover-rutland.co.uk
