With tourism app, Terengganu can dispense with brochures

I REFER to an Aug 1 report, “Tourism information centres In Terengganu will be streamlined, says MB”.

Speaking at the launch of the Tasik Kenyir duty-free zone sale in Pengkalan Gawi last week, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said two more tourism information centres would be added to centres in Shahbandar and Paya Keladi in Kuala Terengganu and in Tasik Kenyir, Hulu Terengganu.

The locations are in Besut and Perasing in Kemaman, the main gateways to Terengganu.

These centres will be streamlined and the agencies responsible for coordinating the matter are the Terengganu Tourism Department, Tourism Malaysia Terengganu and Tourism Promotion Unit under the Central Terengganu Development Authority.

The Terengganu government should be applauded for allocating funds to promote tourism, but the money needed to run information centres and printing brochures could be put to better use in the digital economy.

Developing a destination app for Terengganu would provide all the information visitors need.

Brochures are not only expensive to print, they are also a waste of money.

It is common to find them gathering dust and those picked up by tourists are discarded within minutes.

On the other hand, visitors can share pictures or videos in the app to boast that they are in Terengganu.

A brochure can be read only by the person holding it, whereas an app is accessible 24/7 and attracts tourists from all over the world, allowing them to make and pay for bookings in advance.

Results would be astounding if they get to use the app in their choice language.

The best method to provide information on location is by using a quick response (QR) code, which can be picked up by smartphones.

These QR codes can be placed at tourist information boards, souvenir shops or restaurants in the state.

Many exhibitions and trade shows in developed countries are devoid of physical displays, other than QR codes.

Exhibitors are present only to engage and build relationships with visitors.

Gone are the days when exhibitors lugged brochures to trade shows.

A QR code, picture or video can be transmitted instantly.

It is time our tourism industry embrac e d te chnolog y and dropped the old-school method of disseminating information and promotions.