By Samantha Simon
Winged Whale Media, a Canadian virtual reality company, is developing an immersive virtual reality experience for Antigua and Barbuda, featuring 360-degree content of the country’s major attractions and events through a comprehensive “Virtual Reality Menu”.
“We want to give these people that enhanced experience for higher learning, and that’s the bottom line. Being able to give those people that immersive experience,” says Winged Whale Media CEO Ed Limon.
The company’s VR menu includes 10 distinctive experiences, each accessible via QR code. The offerings range from a full-length VR showcase titled “Antigua and Barbuda Unlocked” to specialized experiences 3D.
Led by Limon, the company is executing the project in three phases of filming to create specialized experiences including coral reef restoration projects, the iconic Pillars of Hercules limestone formations, visiting the largest Aldabra Tortoise Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere at Laviscount Island and Redonda restoration efforts.
Other virtual experiences include swimming with stingrays at Stingray City, enjoying sunset views from Shirley Heights Lookout, and experiencing the vibrant energy of Carnival 2024’s parade in 3D.
The menu rounds out with an exhilarating rainforest canopy tour zipline adventure and a serene visit to Elite Island Resorts’ Pineapple Beach Club.
The second phase, currently underway, includes filming at locations such as the Yacht Charter Show, St James’s Club, and various sites in Barbuda and Redonda.
The third phase will focus on covering Sailing Week and Restaurant Week.
Limon emphasizes the practical applications for travel agents: “You’re in Toronto, you’re in the middle of a blizzard and it’s snowing and you got a tourist go to a travel agent store … if you have a VR experience that tourist will actually feel like they’re there. This is not to replace the experience but to enhance it.”
Users will be able to explore the destinations through both immersive VR experiences and interactive 360-degree views.
The VR content will be accessible through various platforms, including VR headsets, social media, tablets, and desktop computers.
Winged Whale Media is also introducing what they claim is the world’s first web-based wayfinding feature that doesn’t require an app download.
“It’s a web-based application where you scan a QR code and you have a wayfinding feature that draws your way through a property,” Limon explains.
The system has been piloted at Elite Island Resorts’ Verandah property.
The tourism initiative will be showcased at the Japan World Expo, where visitors will be able to experience Antigua and Barbuda through 8K resolution VR content.
“This is an amazing way to be able to showcase to the world an 8K resolution and high depth experience,” says Limon.
“People around the world are going to pass by the booth. They’re going to see 3D experiences, they’re going to see VR experiences.”
Winged Whale Media, which has been specializing in VR since 2016, brings experience from producing content for major brands including Fujifilm and General Mills.
The company maintains offices in Toronto and Alberta, with team members from diverse international backgrounds.
“Our team comes from a full diaspora,” Limon says. “India background, Guatemala, Mexico, Chile, obviously Canada. We try to bring that diverse culture to bring to the table and bring to the world the different talents that we have to offer.”
The company is actively seeking to collaborate with local talent in Antigua and Barbuda. “We always try to find a way to work with local,” Limon emphasizes.
“If there are students that are aspiring in this industry, if there are different, even local vendors that have never tried the technology before, we can onboard them through experience.”
He notes that this approach benefits both parties: “It works out to our favour, where we’re helping the economy, we’re helping boost their talent as well.”
The company has experience in running training events and working with interns and co-op students on their productions worldwide.
Those interested in learning more about collaboration opportunities can contact Winged Whale Media at [email protected] or reach out to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority for additional information about the project.
