By Bejay Browne.
The Paphos Regional board of tourism is in the process of designing smart signs as part of a pilot programme at various points of interest in the district.
Special internet codes on the signs will provide visitors with, rich and interactive information.
“The Paphos regional board of tourism continues its efforts to upgrade the tourist experience and implement actions to transform Paphos province into a smart destination,” the board announced.
The “smart” signs will be made of environmentally friendly materials, will be discreet in size and will have QR codes (Quick Response code) so that visitors can use the internet to find out useful information. The signs are also advantageous compared with static signs which are often bulky.
Using the QR Code a link will open on the internet and the user will be able to choose the language of choice from a mobile phone. A wide range of information options will then be available, including, descriptions, rich photographic material, an audio tour, and a video 360º tour.
This innovative approach is expected to also bring several other benefits, such as reducing visual pollution, as static signs will be replaced by the new discreet signs, flexibility in design, ease of upgrading information and therefore a lower cost to maintain, ease of connecting to social media and also receiving ‘traffic’ statistics.
Trial areas include: Kritou Terra, Arodes, Neo Chorio, Argaka, Pomos and if the results are encouraging, the project will be expanded.