STB showcases new and unique marketing tool at Expo 2016 |01 July 2016

At this year’s National Show held from June 26-29, the Seychelles Tourism Board showcased its new and unique marketing tool which is the ‘Virtual Reality Headset’.

This type of marketing tool is being used in a few other countries in Europe, but Seychelles is one of the first to adopt it in Africa, said Vahid Jacob, marketing e-manager at the STB.

“The Virtual Reality Technology is an increasing popular breakthrough computer technology enabling the simulation of real or imagined events via a special headset that allows a person to experience a virtual world of both sight and hearing.

Currently being used in such areas such as tourism marketing, training and gaming, the most popular forms of content feature 360˚ images and videos that can be found on YouTube and on many other video portals, websites and mobile apps.

“The STB has been quick to tap into the power of this new technology to market the Seychelles Islands as a tourism destination and in the future will be providing headsets at trade fairs, roadshows and workshops to allow trade partners and consumers alike to not just learn about Seychelles but also experience it by way of the immersive experience virtual reality headsets allow,” explained Mr Jacob.

This tool allows a person wearing virtual reality headsets to be fully immersed without distraction in a powerful, crystal-clear, visual experience of a product, service or destination in a way that has hitherto been impossible.

“The expression of amazement on the faces of people who have just used the headsets point to another-worldly experience that is powerful and captivating beyond their wildest expectations. Once a user wears a virtual reality headset, they may feel as if they are actually standing on a beach, forest or any other location in Seychelles, where they are able to look around them, taking in the various sights and sounds just as if they were there in person. This means that people from anywhere in the world can be taken on a guided tour around the Seychelles Islands which has huge implications for future advertising strategies and the direction that marketing itself will take. We got a lot of people coming to our stand just to try the headset and they were completely amazed,” said Mr Jacob.

The STB is among the first tourism boards to use virtual reality to market the destination, with Tourism Australia releasing 17 virtual reality videos earlier in 2016 to attract potential visitors.

More destinations are sure to follow suit as the trend towards real-time marketing gathers pace and popularity.