American Express, a payments company, has introduced blockchain-based travel stamps for customers, serving as digital mementos of their journeys.
Each travel stamp will be secured as an ERC-721 non-fungible token on the Ethereum layer-2 Base, allowing users to maintain a record of their travel experiences and cherished overseas memories, according to the company’s official site.
“Travel magic often lies in recalling past adventures, and commemorative mementos offer a wonderful way for travelers to reflect on their favorite trips,” stated Luke Gebb, Executive Vice President of Amex Digital Labs, on Monday.
“As traditional passport stamps fade away, Amex Passport offers an exciting way for Card Members to celebrate their journeys.”
Each stamp can be personalized to commemorate unique moments from every trip, such as a notable attraction, memorable meal, hotel stay, or favorite activity, according to Amex.
Only holders of a US Amex consumer card linked to their online account can access Amex Passport, and the NFTs cannot be transferred.
Each stamp will display only the country or region, a stamp description, and the date of acquisition, with Amex confirming that personal information and trip specifics remain confidential on Base.
Data from Base’s block explorer, BaseScan, indicates that the smart contract for Amex travel stamps was established 25 days ago.
This development illustrates how public blockchains can assist corporations and users in securely storing data without centralized servers.
Recently, the US Department of Commerce announced plans to publish economic statistics, including GDP data, on the blockchain.
NFT travel stamps coincide with demand for digital keepsakes
The appetite for innovative travel stamp solutions is clear, with a recent Amex survey revealing that 73% of participants sought more digital ways to commemorate past trips.
Additionally, 56% expressed nostalgia for receiving passport stamps upon entering new countries.
Amex travel stamps can be shared via social media or saved to personal devices, with trips booked through Amex in the past two years automatically added for customers.
Crypto is slowly being integrated into the tourism sector
Though still a niche market, the crypto travel industry is gaining momentum in recent months.
Related: Blue chip NFTs sink double digits as ETH retreats from record highs
In February, the crypto-focused travel platform Travala introduced crypto payment options for 2.2 million hotels on Trivago, which allows users to compare accommodation prices from various booking services.
Data from Travala in May revealed that crypto users tend to spend three times more per hotel stay and usually stay longer, adapting to their flexible remote working lifestyles.
Additionally, Triple-A data indicates that 14% of crypto transactions were allocated to travel and hospitality in 2024, while an increasing number of airlines began accepting cryptocurrency for bookings.
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