World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, is offering the opportunity to revisit the WTM 2014 UK & Ireland region via an interactive 360-degree online tour.
The BETA initiative has been launched in partnership with US-based virtual tours specialist VPiX. VPiX has worked with resorts, hotels, nightclubs and estate agents in the past, and this is the first time its technology has been used in an events context.
The BETA virtual tour of the UK & Ireland region is hosted on the www.wtmlondon.com website. It comprises some sixty panoramic images of the exhibition floor, taken during this November’s event. Visitors can navigate around the stands by clicking on arrows which change their view and see them virtually walking around the exhibition.
Stands which are part of the virtual tour are flagged up with an ‘Info’ icon. Clicking on the icon takes a visitor directly to the exhibitor’s page within the Exhibitor Directory channel on the WTM web site, which contains all contact details.
Additional features of the virtual tour include other WTM digital content. For example, the Hilton Worldwide stand includes a link to an interview with its Senior Vice President and Global Head of Digital Geraldine Calpin, hosted on the official WTM YouTube channel.
Some of the world’s biggest businesses are exploring the concept of virtual events. IBM Vice President, Software Business Partners Sandy Carter is quoted as saying: “Virtual events — in which you truly replicate an event experience — are the most exciting Web 2.0 marketing opportunity.”
World Travel Market Senior Director Simon Press explained: “This is an exciting new step for us as we look to give our exhibitors every opportunity to maximise their participation at WTM.
“Post-event follow-ups are an important potential source of new business and this BETA initiative gives exhibitors the chance to connect with buyers and visitors from around the globe.”
“It also confirms World Travel Market’s commitment to innovation and the introduction of new ideas as we look to consolidate our position as the leading global event for the travel industry.”
