Cinnamon takes centre-stage at WTM with immersive virtual reality video experience

Standing from left: Romesh Walpola – Head of Sales and Marketing, Sri Lankan resorts sector at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Dileep Mudadeniya – Head of Brand Marketing at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sunimal Senanayake – Sector Head – Leisure Resorts, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Alvin Jacobs – Head of Contracting,  Sri Lankan and Maldives resorts at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, and Krishna – Cinnamon Lifestylist (Inset) Miss England 2015, Natasha Hemmings experiences the first-ever immersive video of Sri Lanka

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka’s leading hospitality brand that is driving innovation locally and internationally, launched the first-ever immersive video of Sri Lanka using virtual reality, at the World Travel Mart held in London from 2 to 5 November.

Recently-crowned Miss England 2015, Natasha Hemmings was the first to experience the immersive video of Sri Lanka. Miss England 2015 played ambassador role for Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts at WTM, as a result of the agreement and affiliation between Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and the Miss England Organization. 

Immersive video provides a digital experience for all senses using a six lens camera. The resulting footage was produced as six mini videos highlighting six enchanting experiences about Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and Sri Lanka, which was played for World Travel Mart (WTM) attendees using Samsung headsets, enabling the viewer to experience the wonders of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty. It is the first time that such immersive videos have been released about a hotel chain in Sri Lanka. 

The 360-degree immersive video is a technology that is going to make a splash on the global stage in 2016, with the launch of consumer immersive video headsets by multiple manufacturers. These headsets will give a new lease of life to immersive video and its use in an industry such as travel and tourism, to stimulate the viewer’s senses and generate buzz about destinations. 

Considering the impact of the initiative, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts was invited to the first ever immersive video conference at the World Travel Mart. Speaking at the conference, Dileep Mudadeniya, Head of Brand Marketing at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts affirmed the role of new technology in the hospitality and the leisure industry, “Video experiences are moving towards giving something real and exciting for a potential buyer at the pre-purchase stage of an intangible product. Future hotel choices could be based on such advanced technology experiences.”   

With this step, Cinnamon has demonstrated its belief in the power of immersive videos to enrapture potential tourists about Sri Lanka. The World Travel Market is attended by the global travel and tourism industry’s managers, CEOs and senior executives to conduct business deals and discover the latest research, insight and opinion.

CEO of Only in VR, Michael Hodson said, “Working with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts to shoot and produce a series of immersive videos highlighting some of their fabulous properties and nearby sights was one of the most rewarding projects we’ve done yet. It was wonderful to see people’s reactions at the World Travel Mart, when they put on the Virtual Reality (VR) goggles and were transported thousands of miles away to Sri Lanka to experience its beauty, almost as if they were standing there in person.”

There is no doubt that the hospitality industry is now powered by technology innovation and Cinnamon is positioned squarely at its forefront, having pioneered unique events across the spheres of blogs, social media, mobile technology and much more. 

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts are modern,  iconic, and vibrant spaces  designed to redefine  the  best  of  contemporary Sri  Lankan  culture,  entertainment  and  hospitality. A vibrant, inspiring, contemporary Sri Lankan way is at the core of Cinnamon’s experience, spanning signature luxury, luxury, rustic luxury and lean luxury hotels and resorts, providing something for every traveller.