I’ve done some research into Brazil lately. Their economy is booming. The Football (Soccer) World Cup is coming in 2014 followed by the 2016 Olympics. University population is growing. Favelas previously dominated by drug gangs are being up. While still troubled by much poverty, personal income is rising and Europeans are seeking out Brazil as a place to resettle and begin their careers.
What just caught my eye was a story published by USA Today, (to read – click “Brazil Makes Tourist Strolls Smartphone-Friendly.”) The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro is embedding QR Codes that give relevent tourism information in its sidewalks at nearly three dozen locations around the city. You may not recognize the name QR Code, but you have seen it and probably even scanned one or more with your cell phone. I thought the idea was wonderful and with the City of Buffalo in the process of reinventing itself as a tourist destination I believe this is an idea that needs consideration for local use.
Our area from Buffalo up to Fort Niagara and from Canada’s Niagara-On-The-Lake down to Fort Erie offer many opportunities for travelers looking to be educated, entertained, excited, wined and dined. It is unfair to expect visitors to spend time hunting for attractions and looking for directions . This simple and inexpensive method will improve their experience.
The great thing about the QR idea is that it does not need be embedded in tile or concrete as in Brazil. We have winter weather. Sidewalks could be snow-covered. The Tourist QR Code might be mounted on poles and covered with a protective glass or graffiti proof coating allowing for easy access. I hope this new tool gets fair consideration.
If you do not have a CQ Code Reader you can download an Android version from Google Play by searching for “QR Code Reader..”
If you have a code reader you can try it out on this.
