AusLeisure

New Zealand's National Aquarium in Napier has been operating free digital tours, making use of new technologies, including QR codes and smart devices, since before Christmas.

Upon arriving at the National Aquarium, visitors can scan a QR code on their smartphone or tablet and they will then be able to connect to the aquarium's Wi-Fi and go on a digital tour of the facility.

National Aquarium Manager Rob Yarrall explains "if you have an iPhone and your Wi-Fi is turned on, on arrival you'll get a 'welcome to the Aquarium' message with 'check out our free digital tours?'

"Then just click on either video or audio tours and away you go.

"Visitors get to be their own virtual tour guides. They will be given a unique look into the lives of the animals through 90-second videos, watched through free Wi-Fi on hand-held devices. The videos will show footage of feeding or other habitual behaviour that they may not get to see during their visit."

The QR codes can also be scanned prior to arrival by visiting the aquarium's website.

For those people who do not have smart devices, an audio tour is available on a pre-loaded mp3 player that can be bought on-site, or the tour can be downloaded from the aquarium's website.

1st February 2011 - NAPIER’S MARINELAND WILL NOT REOPEN 

23rd April 2010 - UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDS FUTURE OF NAPIER MARINELAND

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.