World Travel Market, for which Irish Travel Trade News is the Official Media Partner in Ireland, 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 60 panoramic images of the exhibition floor, taken during this November’s event. Visitors can navigate around the stands by clicking on arrows that change their view and see them virtually walking around the exhibition.
Stands that 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 website, 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. Sandy Carter, IBM Vice President, Software Business Partners, said: “Virtual events — in which you truly replicate an event experience — are the most exciting Web 2.0 marketing opportunity.”
Simon Press, WTM Senior Director, said: “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.”
To take part in the virtual tour, visit www.wtmlondon.com/virtual-tour
