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THE FOREIGN OFFICE UNVEILS NEW VIRTUAL REALITY FILM TO INSPIRE SAFE TRAVEL

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (today) has revealed its first virtual reality film as part of its new ‘Travel Aware’ campaign.

 

The film, produced and co-funded by digital innovation agency Brandwidth, features Phileas Fogg, the famed fictional explorer from the Jules Verne novel, as he attempts to travel around today’s world in 80 days. He quickly realises that he can’t simply set off as he is informed of the critical preparation he needs to make before he starts.

 

It is to be premiered at the Telegraph Travel show at Excel in London from 13th – 15th January and will be shown at a range of events over the next 12 months. The Travel Show sees 25,000 people attend over the course of the weekend and exhibitors range from tourist boards and tour operators to airlines and car hire companies.

 

The Government department’s role is to provide advice and promote safe travel to the millions of British nationals who take trips or reside abroad each year.

 

Michael Vibert from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: “We decided to commission this film in virtual reality as it can completely transform the planning experience for potential travellers. Our job is to help British nationals to prepare for their journey and raise awareness of travel safely so that they can get the most out of their trip. We are always looking at how we can convey our key messages to maximum effect.”

 

Dean Johnson, Head of Innovation at Brandwidth is an expert in virtual reality, a BBC tech pundit and a regular speaker on shaping the connected future for brands and organisations. He outlined the importance and potential for the travel industry to embrace new technology such as virtual reality, setting out where it could take the sector in the next 12-24 months.

 

He said: “Most of us have a love/hate relationship with technology. Add travel to the mix and network performance, software and hardware can mean the difference between a good and bad holiday or business trip. The travel industry is starting to embrace virtual reality and the Foreign Office is leading the way in showing how to bring to life key safety messages and provide people with a truly immersive experience before they travel.”

 

The film is three minutes in duration and was directed by Brandwidth’s Head of Moving Image Matt Littler, who deployed special movement techniques for a smoother experience.

 

‘Travel Aware’ is the new identity for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s highly successful ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign which has been running for 14 years. Evolving the brand into Travel Aware enables the FCO to address all aspects of the trip, not just the planning required pre-departure.

 

Author: VR Reporter

I am a hi-tech enthusiast, VR evangelist, and a Co-founder & Chief Director at Virtual Reality Reporter!

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