Tencent-backed Zanadu.cn,\u00a0China’s\u00a0premium lifestyle travel platform becomes the first to\u00a0launch a virtual relaity travel app.<\/p>\n
The app provides an experiential view of the world’s most amazing travel destinations letting afluent Chinese travellers a unique way to enhance their booking experience.<\/p>\n
Zanadu \u00a0recently raised more than\u00a0CNY80 million\u00a0(USD12.5 million+) in its A+ financing round led by\u00a0TencentHoldings Limited, is well poised as an up-and-coming leader in travel technology and\u00a0China’s\u00a0growing luxury travel market.<\/p>\n
\u00abThe luxury travel industry in\u00a0China\u00a0is experiencing a major growth spurt. The affluent Chinese traveller is always looking for new outlets to explore a chosen destination before making a financial commitment. Zanadu saw this demand as the perfect opportunity to create a virtual reality bridge between travellers and luxe destinations, through a unique experiential journey,\u00bb said Creative Director & CMO of Zanadu,\u00a0Dirk Eschenbacher.\u00bbWith VR becoming an increasingly hot topic, this move helps to push forward the Chinese VR Market, where currently only very limited VR content is available. This will help us to become the number 1 VR travel content producer and distributer in the Chinese market and also on a global level.\u00bb<\/p>\n
First VR travel film, Zanadu studio, and several content allinaces as a provider<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The company’s initial foray into the travel virtual reality field includes a new app which features\u00a0China’s\u00a0first virtual reality (VR) travel film \u00bbThe Dream\u00bb, taking viewers onto a cinematic and immersive travel experience.<\/p>\n The video is the first of many with 30-40 slated for release on the Zanadu platform and on 3rd party platforms like Samsung’s MILK and Oculus and Youtube 360 in 2016 alone.<\/p>\n Zanadu’s initial 360 degree Virtual Reality Travel Journey, The Dream, was shot in\u00a0Thailand\u00a0in\u00a0October 2015\u00a0and can be viewed online along with an exclusive behind-the-scenes video.<\/p>\n In conjunction with the App launch, Zanadu also launched Zanadu Studio, a content production studio specializing in high-quality experiential and travel themed content, both in 2D and VR. Zanadu has also formed a strategic content partnership with\u00a0Tencent\u00a0Video to feature its travel VR content on Tencent’s VR app.<\/p>\n Both the major VR headset manufacturers and major video websites are moving towards launching VR platforms as the technology continues to gain popularity. However, quality content itself is in short supply and will be in much demand as more consumers adapt to VR. Live event broadcast and travel content offer a good user-case for the immersive medium and Zanadu plans to work with all major platforms to provide best-in-class travel VR content.<\/p>\n Travel content and products mixed in the same platform<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Zanadu is not only known for its selection of travel products, but also for high-end content with several impressive collaborations with top brands and celebrities. Notable projects include a very successful WeChat channel, and a short film with\u00a0Cui Jian, the famed Chinese artist often cited as \u00abthe Father of Chinese Rock\u00bb in partnership with Maserati, a series of films with Mini Cooper, a travel-themed music video with\u00a0Hong Kong\u00a0actress and singer-songwriter\u00a0Karen Mok\u00a0and a personal travel journey with top fashion photographer\u00a0Chen Man. By pioneering innovative travel content with Virtual Reality, Zanadu is aiming to bring experiential journeys even closer to the Chinese traveller.<\/p>\n Zanadu’s initial 360 degree virtual reality travel journey, The Dream, was shot in\u00a0Thailand\u00a0in\u00a0October 2015\u00a0and can be viewed online along with an exclusive behind-the-scenes video.<\/p>\n Zanadu believes that \u00abexperiences and stories\u00bb are the building-blocks of life and carefully curate some of the world’s best destinations and journeys where amazing experiences and stories are guaranteed to happen. Products such as boutique and design hotels, private villas, bespoke itineraries and luxury cruises cater to Chinese travellers who increasingly value experiences more than material possessions.<\/p>\n Image over the headline.-<\/strong>\u00a0Tencent-Backed Zanadu Expands Popular Lifestyle Travel Platform with launch of VR Content App . (PRNewsFoto\/Zanadu)<\/span><\/p>\n Related external links<\/span>:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Dream on Youtube 360<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Behind the scene of The Dream on Youtube\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n