By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 15: The newly-launched ‘Sarawak 360 Experience: Stories from the Heart’ project aims to promote Sarawak stories with worldwide online audiences through 360 interactive video technology.
Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC) Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Sarawak 360 Experience video series will feature 10 episodes on well-known tourism attractions in the state, with five to seven minutes of 360 Video per episode.
The 10 episodes include ‘Semenggoh Orangutan’, ‘Semadang kayaking’, ‘Kuching Cycling’, ‘Bako National Park’, ‘Tanoti Handicraft’, ‘Batang Ai Longhouse’, ‘Sibu and Central Region’, ‘Miri Diving’, ‘Mulu and the Pinnacles’, as well as ‘Bario Homestay’.
“The enhanced interaction and engagement on Mobile YouTube and FB allow viewers to choose their own experience and spend a longer time immersed in Sarawak’s stories.
“The Sarawak 360 Experience offers a new way for viewers to interact and experience stories as a participant in a first-person narrative; rather than merely watching, listening, or reading the story from a third person vantage point.
“These immersive videos put you at the centre of the scene, allowing you to look left, right, up, down and behind you. You can experience the 360 videos on your phone, tablet, or computer — no headset needed,” he said when launching the Sarawak 360 Experience: Stories from The Heart programme held at Kuching Old Courthouse today.
Abdul Karim who is also the Youth and Sports Minister further informed that the project dated from May this year was initially planned to launch in September but was postponed following unexpected lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Season 1 will consist of five episodes in and around Kuching. First episode will go live today (Nov 15) with this launching and the rest will be out every two weeks. Season 2 will start in February 2022 and features Central and Northern Sarawak,” he said.
With the support of MTAC, Association of Sarawak Inbound Agencies (ASIA) has partnered with Zass Puravida, a local Sarawak Creative Production House and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for the making of the Sarawak 360 Virtual Tour.
ASIA and STB will be jointly promoting the Sarawak 360 Experience as part of Sarawak’s Post-Covid Destination Recovery Plan.
The Season 1 episodes will be promoted domestically while for Season 2, there will be a promotion to some of Sarawak’s major tourism markets in the ASEAN, Europe and Oceania markets.
The 360 videos will be featured in both ASIA and STB social media channels, as well as on ASIA website’s special 360 Experience landing page: https://asia.org.my/sarawak-360experience/.
The project is also supported by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation and MASWings during the filming process.
Also present were MTAC permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee and ASIA chairman Phillip Yong. — DayakDaily
