Latest mobile phone technology to support tourism in the
district 
A new project which uses cutting-edge mobile phone
technology to provide information to tourists and local people will
be launched in Malvern. The project uses QR (Quick Response) codes
which are square “bar codes” which when scanned with a smart phone
link the user to a web page. The new Malvern QR code trail will
link smart phone users to a wealth of information about the town,
its history, as well as providing special offers such as discounts
for local shops and cafes in the area nearby.
Local entrepreneur Dr Emma Philpott, is
developing the use of QR codes through her company Key IQ, and is
keen to apply the technology to provision of local tourist
information trails. As part of the Route to the Hills
project, Malvern Hills District Council and its partners are
working with Dr. Philpott to develop this exciting project to help
visitors to find their way around the district, at the same time,
helping to support local businesses. The project has been funded
with the support of a grant from the Malvern Hills AONB.
There are going to be 16 codes initially at
key historic sites such as the Great Malvern Priory and car parks
in the town centre. These key sites make up part of the council’s
Route to the Hills project as a way of improving signage and
strengthening links between the town and the hills.
Dr Emma Philpott, Malcolm Salisbury & Manda
Graham
With nearly half of all teenagers and over a
quarter of all adults having a smart phone that can read these
codes they will add an interactive theme which aims to help engage
families and their children. The codes will direct users to
information that is held on a website where local companies can
promote their business and offer discounts and incentives.
Councillor Barbara Williams, Portfolio
Holder for Community & Economic Development at MHDC
said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for local
business to interact with residents and visitors like never before.
Using QR codes to provide information in a beautiful place like
Malvern makes sense, as they are unobtrusive and so won’t spoil the
views and heritage value of the town. Supporting tourism and
business is an important part of this council’s work and we are
really proud to be exploring the use of the most up to date
technology to promote the district”