World Tourism Day
Ready to explore new horizons without leaving a carbon footprint? In travel and tourism, the metaverse has emerged as a game-changer, redefining the way destinations are showcased, and experiences are shared. To celebrate World Tourism Day, the Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia teamed up with SpaceTo, STC and Mindflares. The mission? Craft an beautifully esthetic, immersive, eco-conscious virtual experience showcasing Saudi Arabia's transformative travel and investment opportunities. Here, we spotlight SpaceTo's unique blend of 3D creativity and technological expertise that brought this vision to life.
Ready to explore new horizons without leaving a carbon footprint? In travel and tourism, the metaverse has emerged as a game-changer, redefining the way destinations are showcased, and experiences are shared. To celebrate World Tourism Day, the Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia teamed up with SpaceTo, STC and Mindflares. The mission? Craft an beautifully esthetic, immersive, eco-conscious virtual experience showcasing Saudi Arabia's transformative travel and investment opportunities. Here, we spotlight SpaceTo's unique blend of 3D creativity and technological expertise that brought this vision to life.
SpaceTo created a robust registration module and a user-friendly registration page. This allowed attendees to sign up for the event easily, providing essential details for improved communication throughout the experience SpaceTo also implemented transactional email capabilities, ensuring attendees received timely updates and information related to the event, further enhancing the overall user experience and engagement.
Upon entry, multi-lingual hosts greeted users with pre-recorded messages in various languages. Info desks allowed live interaction with tourism and business investment consultants, providing real-time insights. An interactive map was optimized, allowing users to explore travel destinations and investment opportunities within Saudi Arabia. Avatars donned Saudi fashion designer apparel, by Mohammed Khoja in Partnership with Nuqtah, further adding a local touch. Travel and tourism information hubs offered a treasure trove of knowledge, all complemented by customized branding and content creation produced by Mindflares. The lobby exuded a futuristic, modern Saudi-inspired ambiance, a creative concept which was woven into the fabric of the experience.
Local talent took center stage in the metaverse's artistic gallery. A piano player filled the virtual air with melodies, and spatial audio added depth to the immersive experience. Users could interact with art pieces and even participate in integrated voting mechanisms, promoting engagement and appreciation of local Saudi Arabian art.
The crowning jewel of the metaverse was the digital twin of Bujairi Terrace, meticulously designed and brought to life in 3D. Here, users could indulge in immersive shopping experiences and explore a range of restaurants and stores. A diverse array of eateries, including fine dining restaurants such as Takya, Sarabeths, Cova, Tatel, Chez Bruno, Hakkasan, Maiz, Long Chim, Villa Mammas, graced the digital landscape. Thanks to integrations like PayTabs, DHL International, and Shopify, the marketplace supported seamless shipping worldwideIt also offered a variety of payment options, both local and international including STC Pay, Mada, VISA, and Mastercard. Local artisanal vendors were also showcased, and users could easily access online table bookings, preview menus, and even download/print them. Michelin-star restaurants provided the finest in dining experiences, complemented by a traditional oud player and spatial audio.
The metaverse was not just a passive experience; it encouraged interaction. Voice Chat Pods facilitated group discussions, whilst one-on-one voice calls were enabled throughout the experience for more intimate conversations, while text chat options were enabled across the metaverse. Saudi travel opportunity "info pods" were interactive, connecting them with live consultants for one-on-one text chats. Interactive gestures like clapping, modern waving, and agreement gestures enhanced communication and engagement throughout the networking journey, adding an element of excitement.
SpaceTo successfully delivered a flawlessly designed metaverse experience that transcended boundaries. It became a driving force behind global investment opportunities and e-commerce in the travel and tourism sector, using customized, 3D designs to captivate audiences and bring Saudi cultural heritage to life. The customized, digital twin feature allowed users to explore large tourism destinations and provided a taste of the real-life travel and shopping experiences. Sustainability and accessibility were at the forefront, aligning with the theme of green tourism. Above all, the immersive 3D creations and content engagement left a lasting impression, showcasing the transformative power of the metaverse in the travel and tourism industry. In collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, SpaceTo has not only set a new benchmark in virtual tourism but has also paved the way for a future where the metaverse becomes a gateway to sustainable and inspiring global travel!
