ACCESSING popular tourist destinations in Iloilo province is now a click away.

The Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) goes digital with the launching of its Quick Response (QR) code system that contains essential information about the famous tourist spots in the province.

PTO distributed QR codes to 20 towns, which comprise the first batch of recipients during the launching on November 28 at the Capitol lobby.

The towns include Miagao, Oton, Leon, Leganes, Badiangan, Cabatuan, Passi City, Dingle, Carles, Concepcion, San Joaquin, Alimodian, Ajuy, Igbaras, Janiuay, Banate, Sta. Barbara, Tigbuan, Guimbal, and Tubungan.

The codes will be strategically placed at the entrance of the municipal hall. To access the code, one must download a scanner through a smartphone. Once scanned, the code will generate information about the town’s cultural, historical, and man-made sites.

PTO head Gilbert Marin said it is all about “connectivity and digitizing the products.”

“It is very beneficial for tourists both local and foreign because it will now be easy for them to reach different destinations. So even during holidays, they can go to their preferred spots without the aid of tourism or information officers,” he said.

The project is in partnership with Smart Communications Inc. and InnoPub.

PTO targets to distribute the code to all 43 local government units before summer of 2019.

Tourism officers and information officers of each town will also undergo training next year on how to download and manage the latest information on the QR code.

Marin said the system is expected to boost tourism in the province as there are still a lot of attractions in Iloilo that are not well-known.

PTO has also placed one QR code in Casa Real de Iloilo and another at the lobby of the Capitol. (PR)