May 9 2016

Southern Discoveries rolls out Virtual Reality first for Milford Sound

Premier tourism company Southern Discoveries will showcase stunning Milford Sound and their product offering to tourism buyers from around the globe through an engaging and immersive 360° Virtual Reality (VR) video.

The company is one of the first tourism operators in New Zealand to use the video technology which literally places the guest in the very heart of Milford Sound, able to look up at the towering sides of the majestic fiord and down into the crystal clear waters.

It is the first company to present Milford Sound in VR and will be using headsets to enable buyers to view the experience at TRENZ in Rotorua this week.

Southern Discoveries sales and marketing director Julia Savill is thrilled to be able to use the relatively new technology to showcase the incredible environment in which the company operates.

“We were the first company to operate cruises in Milford Sound and now to be the first operator presenting agents with this amazing technology is really exciting. It will be a key tool in our sales kit from now on.

“Milford Sound is the eighth wonder of the world and renowned for its dramatic vistas. To be able to sit in a booth at a trade show and look down on one of our boats sitting under a waterfall, then be on the deck of a catamaran underneath the same waterfall almost able to ‘feel’ the water misting over you is a spine-tingling experience.

“Tourism New Zealand’s research tells us that landscapes are a key driver of visitation to New Zealand, and we can now take that virtual scenery to the world,” Julia said.

Southern Discoveries engaged digital solutions agency One Fat Sheep to work on the project from the outset.

“Our sales and marketing team is constantly looking at new ways to create interesting and engaging sales and marketing material,” said Julia.

“Creating a VR experience was high on our priority list so we got in touch with One Fat Sheep who worked with NZVR360 and Helicam Films and took care of everything from storyboard to filming to producing the final product.

“We’re delighted with the final product and are sure the buyers will enjoy it too. We want as many people as possible to come and experience our trips through this technology. ”

Southern Discoveries will be at booth 2019/2020 at TRENZ.

You can view the 360° video here – for best viewing download and watch via the Vrideo app on your smartphone or tablet or view on a desktop.

The team operating the drone and capturing footage in Milford Sound included (L to R) Jack English, Bazz Deans, Tony Young, Joe Allen, Peter Houston

ENDS

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