Bluetooth messages help tourists

Published on Monday 29 June 2009 09:59

MESSAGES saying "Welcome to Edinburgh" are to be beamed to the mobile phones of people arriving in the Capital as part of a new tourism drive.

The initiative will see messages sent to anyone with a mobile that has wireless Bluetooth technology and is part of the new "Destination Edinburgh" marketing drive.

The messages will be beamed to people arriving at Edinburgh Airport, Waverley and Haymarket train stations and St Andrew Square bus station.

As well as welcoming messages, city leaders will beam information about specific events taking place in the Capital such as one-off markets or parades.

The technology has been used before by the police for witness appeals such as when detectives investigating the murder of Martyn Barclay sent a Bluetooth message to fans at the Hibs v Hearts football match in March.

A trial of the new technology is planned for next month.

Tourism groups and opposition politicians today welcomed the move, but highlighted that the messages might be need to be more targeted in order to avoid annoying city residents.

Sinead Feltoe, VisitScotland regional director, said: "This is a great example of using new technology to relay key messages to visitors to Edinburgh. It is crucial we maximise all information provision opportunities for the benefit of tourism.

"New technology, such as podcasts, is having an increasing importance with a number of key overseas visitors who are using a range of new media services to plan and organise trips but then use technology, such as podcasts, when they are here."

In December, Lothian and Borders police became the first force in Scotland to buy a Bluetooth transmitter which will allow officers to beam messages straight to mobile phone users asking for information.

The 2,000 transmitter has been driven to locations where large numbers of people are gathered, with each broadcast reaching any Bluetooth-enabled phone within a radius of 50 metres.

Councillor Andrew Burns, the city's Labour leader, said: "Anything that can boost the city's tourism industry has got to be applauded. There are some issues in terms of trying to ensure this sort of initiative is more targeted but, on the whole, it is a good idea."

Among the other proposed sites are prominent points in the city centre such as Princes Mall, The Mound and Charlotte Square.

A sample message could include: "Welcome to Edinburgh. For more information on how to find your way around town or great shopping options, go to www.edinburgh-inspiring capital.com."

Cllr Tom Buchanan, the city's economic development leader, said: "This is a great opportunity to use new technology to give people up-to-the-minute information on what's going on and to help them find their way around."