Beacons signal new way for visitors to explore Queensland

A landmark digital tourism initiative is guiding visitors to explore Queensland’s destinations as Tourism and Events Queensland rolls out Australia’s largest tourism network of iBeacons across the state.

In Townsville for the Palaszczuk Government’s first Community Cabinet, Minister for Tourism, Major Events and Small Business, Kate Jones, said 150 iBeacons would be installed across Queensland’s 13 tourism destinations at airports, visitor information centres, national parks and other popular tourism attractions.

“Using new location-based technology, the beacons will automatically deliver users of the This is Queensland app with information about the top things to see and do in the area,” Ms Jones said.

“The beacons will also be used at major events, alerting attendees to information about the event and destination.

“It’s technology that will enhance the visitor experience and makes discovering Queensland’s destinations easy and enjoyable.”

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said the app aimed to better connect visitors with their destination and encourage users to share their experiences with family and friends on social media using #thisisqueensland.

“The app and beacons form part of TEQ’s strategy to evolve Queensland tourism’s digital presence using leading-edge technology," Ms Coddington said.

“It follows the launch of the new www.Queensland.com and This is Queensland app in January.”

TEQ has a strong focus on digital marketing with around 1.2 million highly-engaged Facebook fans, 150,000 Instagram and 77,000 Twitter followers and recently topped the list of Skift’s 10 best destinations on social media in December 2014.

The This is Queensland app is available to download free of charge for iPhone and android now.

In the Townsville area, beacons have so far been installed at:

• Bruce Highway Visitor Information Centre

• Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre

• Townsville Bulletin Square Visitor Information Centre

• Tyto Wetlands Information Centre

• Reef HQ Aquarium

• Museum of Tropical Queensland

• Magnetic Island National Park

Emma Smith (Minister Jones’ Office) 0417 405 879