Tourism Administration, 7-Eleven to launch QR-code travel guide network

Taipei, Jan. 6 (CNA) Taiwan's Tourism Administration announced Tuesday a partnership with 7-Eleven to turn the island's extensive convenience store network into easy official travel information access points through QR codes starting Feb. 6.

At a press conference in Taipei, the administration signed a memorandum of understanding with 7-Eleven to place official "Taiwan E-tour Guide" QR code stickers on the stores' ibon kiosk machines.

The rollout will begin Feb. 6 in northern and eastern Taiwan as well as outlying Kinmen County, with nationwide coverage planned in phases, Tourism Administration Director-General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said.

Scanning the QR code will direct users to the Tourism Administration's "Explore Taiwan Mobile Guide," which currently features official tour guide pages for the initial rollout areas, including attractions, shops and events, with additional regions to be integrated in the future.

All 7-Eleven stores across Taiwan are expected to display the QR code stickers by the end of July, said Chen.

The digital services are available in English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese.

7-Eleven said its more than 7,200 stores across 368 townships, cities, and districts in Taiwan make it a uniquely accessible channel to deliver travel information at the community level.

When asked whether similar collaborations would be pursued with other convenience store chains, Chen said discussions with other brands are ongoing.