Brisbane Airport launch world-first digital currency terminal

KEEPING PACE: Cryptocurrencies gained a great deal of media attention at the end of last year

Australia’s Brisbane Airport has become the first airport in the world to allow payment at its concession via cryptocurrencies.

The airport has partnered with TravelbyBit, a company that describes its goal as ‘opening Australia to digital currency tourism’, to develop its approach to the burgeoning blockchain technology.

Travellers will soon be able to use TravelbyBit’s cryptocurrency payment system, including bitcoin, dash, Ethereum and other digital currencies, to dine and shop at stores such as Botanist, Spoon, Windmill & Co., and Forte Espresso, as well as nine awpl stores including Australian Way, Merino Collection, Carry On, Dreamtime Journey and multiple News Travels across both terminals.

Digital currency payments keep the user’s personal identity private and eliminate third-party interference, allowing for very low transaction fees, exchange rates, and transfer time.

Roel Hellemons, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) General Manager Strategic Planning and Development, said, “Many people around the world have made money investing in cryptocurrencies and a lot of these people travel internationally, so it makes sense to offer a digital currency experience within our terminals.

“We’re also proud to be the first airport in the world to achieve this in partnership with a small local start-up business such as TravelbyBit, whose pioneering thinking is drawing attention to Brisbane as a serious breeding ground of innovative thinking.

“This is just the beginning for us as we hope to expand the digital currency option across the business, so watch this space,”

TravelbyBit has built a network of merchants throughout Brisbane who take payments in digital currencies. From airport transport to luxury hotel accommodation and food and entertainment venue in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley which has been rebranded by locals as ‘Crypto Valley’. More than 20 merchants in the area now take digital currency payments.

Caleb Yeoh, CEO of TravelbyBit, said, “We are building a genuine use case for cryptocurrencies in the tourism industry. The application of digital currencies in this sector makes a lot of sense.

“Whenever you travel overseas you have to deal with multiple currencies and you never know what exchange rates the banks are charging you. Here at TravelbyBit we are promoting the Bitcoin travel movement. Digital currency for world-wide travel. It’s simple, safe and there’s no bank fees,” Mr Yeoh said.

Costa Kouros, Managing Director of awpl, a retail solutions provider working with Brisbane Airport, said, “awpl is a proud partner of Brisbane Airport and a strong supporter of the innovation in customer experience driven by BAC. We are excited to be a launch merchant in the world’s first digital currency friendly airport.”