Last year, I wrote a couple of web design posts on the growing number of QR codes and said that creative marketers would probably come up with interesting and innovative ideas for their use other than just being a quick link to websites, and since then one such idea to emerge is as an aid for tourists and tourism.

The town of Monmouth has been chosen by Wikipedia to take part in their first QR code project by inviting residents to provide the content regarding the town itself, for example, famous residents, notable locations, town history, attractions, personal memories and trivia. In fact anything tourists may be interested to know.

As a community effort, any Monmouth resident, school, college or business can contribute information to the project and on any particular subject. The QR codes will then be placed on plaques at over 1000 locations throughout the town where visitors will be able to scan them with their smartphones from the start of the project which is expected to be sometime during April this year.

Interestingly, the content in the QR codes won’t be confined to English or Welsh speakers only as Wikipedia will be giving visitors the option of reading the information in multiple languages; over 270 other languages in fact. If the project is successful, it would be no surprise to see it extended to other towns and cities in the UK and almost certainly in other countries as well.

An interesting use for QR codes which should hopefully prove effective and successful for both Wikipedia and visitors to Monmouth alike whilst at the same time offering more exposure for QR codes and their possibilities for the future.

Until next time.

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