Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts today (28 October) announced what it claims to be the first-ever integration of virtual reality (VR) experiences into worldwide hotel sales efforts. The hotel chain has given out Samsung Gear VR headsets across all its Global Sales Offices and produced immersive 360-degree videos for a quarter of its 94 hotels and resorts.
Nearly half of the hotel portfolio will have VR videos available by January 2016.
The Gear VR headsets, by Oculus, allow travel advisors, meeting planners and potential corporate clients to virtually experience Shangri-La hotels and destinations worldwide. They will be used as promotional and educational tools at tradeshows, industry events and sales meetings.
“Shangri-La is investing significantly in technology and future of travel content, which is why we are embracing virtual reality on this scale,” said Steven Taylor, chief marketing officer of Shangri-La International Hotel Management.
“Travel experts play a critical role in their fields and the traveller’s decision-making process. This is why our first VR efforts are focused on them.”
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and manages 90 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 39,000.
