Technology giant Apple has detailed how 30 million NFC (near field communication) tickets were presented by customers for live events and tourist attractions last year in the US and Canada alone, through the company’s Wallet app.
The Wallet app is a secure digital wallet where users can keep digital credit and debit cards, boarding passes and tickets for events including concerts, sporting events and theatre shows, as well as tickets for transport.
Apple stated: “Digital tickets in Wallet helped venues and their guests create safe, contactless experiences, and last year, customers used 30 million NFC tickets in Wallet for events across music, sports, theatre and more across the US and Canada.”
Apple also revealed that part of its vision is for Wallet to eventually replace physical wallets and purses. In 2021, where contactless entry to live entertainment and sporting events and proof of vaccination against coronavirus was still paramount for safety, customers around the world were able to add verified COVID-19 vaccination cards to ensure they were admitted.
In Australia, Apple users are even able to store health insurance cards within the Wallet app.
The digital wallet also enables simplicity and security for tickets to iconic tourist attractions, such as the storage of annual passes for the likes of Walt Disney World in Florida.
Disney fans are able to keep their annual passes in the palm of their hand through the Wallet app. Apple said that it was “unlocking magical moments for Walt Disney World visitors with Disney MagicMobile passes”.
Over the last few years, companies have increasingly taken up the opportunity to make sure their tickets are compatible with Apple Wallet. In 2018, US movie theatre chain Cineplex updated its app to allow customers to store cinema tickets in the Apple Wallet. TEG-owned Ticketek also hailed its integration with Apple Wallet in 2019, with head of ticketing Cameron Hoy calling it a “game-changer”.
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