More than 34 billion tickets will be delivered to mobile devices over the next five years, according to a new ABI Research forecast, with QR codes making up 48% of the total and NFC accounting for 30%. The remaining 22% will be delivered via a variety of alternative technologies, including SMS and Bluetooth Smart.

"Although NFC is the technology forecast to have the fastest growth with a CAGR in excess of 100% over the same time frame, it is QR codes which are forecast to account for the majority of mobile tickets delivered having had a substantial head start in the market," ABI says.

"Moving forward it will be the integration of added value services, both from a user and service provider point of view, which will spur on additional market growth," research analyst Phil Sealy explains.