Proving that QR codes are not just for businesses looking to establish themselves in the burgeoning mobile marketing industry, the barcodes are edging out the competition in the travel industry as the favored means of distributing information to travelers.
According to Ayan Banerjee of MindTree, an enterprise solutions consulting firm, the future of travel technology lies firmly in the hands of HTML5, NFC, and QR codes. Each offers travelers with a rich media experience and each has their own areas of expertise and appeal. However, Banerjee believes that QR codes have a much broader appeal as they are more versatile than both HTML5 and NFC platforms.
“Looking at the current mobile apps, they all provide the basic services,” says Banerjee. “The question is how we enrich it further.”
Travel to unfamiliar locales can be intimidating. HTML5 is being used to provide travelers looking for details on their destination access to a mobile friendly, app-like website where they can find what they’re looking for. However, given that HTML5 is entirely web-based, it can be difficult to find pertinent information in short periods of time. NFC offers no solution, as its primary use is the electronic sale of goods.
QR codes, according to Banerjee, are the ideal way of distributing information to travelers. The codes can be programmed with content specific to what travelers are looking for. Furthermore, the codes can be used by hotels, airline and cruise ships to keep travelers up to date on the happenings of their trip.
QR codes are quickly moving beyond the realm of mobile marketing and are becoming a tool used to make traveler’s lives easier.
