Virgin Holiday's augmented reality
- By Jack Preston -
- May 15, 2012
Virgin Holidays have released an app designed to help users research and decide upon their holiday destination, by placing them in a given location through the use of an augmented reality feature.
The app, which is initially available for free download to iPhones, is the first of its type to be used by a holiday company. On opening the app, viewers are greeted by a loading screen showing a selection of funky Virgin Holidays retail interiors. Users can then directly enter the augmented reality function (preceded by a ‘How To Use’ film for anyone new to the experience), or browse store locations and the latest offers.
Using the phone’s inbuilt camera, the augmented reality feature is activated when the device is pointed at a range of triggers, such as when focused on a brochure cover - the brochure might appear to ‘open’ and a video of that destination fill the screen. Thus placing’ the customer in the destination, bringing it to life through sound and movement in a way that a traditional, 2D brochure never could.
“This new app represents yet another first for Virgin Holidays. We’re convinced of the potential for new technology to fundamentally change the travel retail experience, and combined with our shops and concessions, we’re building an unbeatable, integrated package,” explained Virgin Holidays Head of Retail, Lee Haslett.
“This is just the first of a number of new developments that will put further clear air between Virgin Holidays and our competitors. It not only takes us a step further to realizing the fully immersive ‘virtual’ experience we want people to have when they enter our shops, it also gives us incredible flexibility to support specific campaign periods or promotions.”
To find out more visit Virgin Holidays.
By Jack Preston. Content Executive. Tweets at @JackPressedOn
