What if you could teleport to your dream destination despite the pandemic? Are you curious to discover a new way to travel without moving?
In a short interview, CEO Jean Nicolas Vandelac introduces you to Hoppin’ World! This company makes it possible for several people to discover destinations and attractions from anywhere in the world, thanks to the use of social virtual reality. They enable anyone to meet virtually in reproductions of real places using VR technology.
Hopp’in World according to its founder.
“Hopp’in World is a unique way for people to have fun with family, friends and new acquaintances, teleporting together to destinations around the world to discover their attractions and culture.”
What impact has the pandemic had on their business?
“Despite a slowdown in the first year, the pandemic offered us an opportunity, a boost! This context is leading tourism and cultural organizations to approach the recovery with a new understanding of value: visitors who find themselves virtually in their attractions and events to live new experiences.”
Can you tell us about your latest project?
“Following a meeting with the Ministry of Tourism (MTO) and at the Innovation Rendezvous, we launched a Quebec-wide project to enable all destinations to become virtually accessible. This accessibility will make it possible to reach Americans, Canadians and Europeans who only dream of finally being able to get out and travel far from home.”
How are you going to make these destinations accessible?
“Hoppin’ World takes telepresence explorers on a tour of participating Quebec regions, using 360° social virtual reality videos. The tour takes the form of a guided quest developed in collaboration with Strateolab, an MT Lab spin-off. Participants (explorers) are invited to move around and interact to experience the emotion of the place. To offer total immersion, the project’s sound is optimized by Saga, a startup also from MT Lab.”
What do you mean by participating regions?
“We design these guided quests using existing content or new productions from interested ATRs and ATSs. ATRs, ATSs and their members can take advantage of this opportunity by contacting us, whether to virtually host event organizers or travel planners, to welcome potential visitors with their families and friends before and after their stay, or possibly dispatch tourists to the territory from information offices.”
What is the basis of a good relationship between an innovative start-up and a major partner?
“For me, it’s always respect. Understanding the other’s reality, as an organization and as a person within that organization. Having the patience to adapt to the rhythm of the market and to establish the relationships that make it possible to respond adequately to needs and drive the delivery of a quality service or product.”
What was your best encounter at MT Lab?
“That’s an impossible question to answer! Because it’s all these meetings with the MT Lab that have enabled us to realize many of the opportunities we’re reaping today. From the introduction we received at MT Lab over two years ago, to the many tips the team gave me, to the panoply of events and workshops that led to meetings and business discussions, right up to today, when we’re allowed to talk about what turns us on. And I know, above all, that it’s not over yet, because each new organization I meet has its own reality that I’m getting to know to identify the best way to achieve its objectives and make it accessible to the whole world, and that’s inspiring.”
To find out more about theHoppin’ World project and to be part of it, please contact them or contact@montrealxr.com.
Originally published on Tourisme Express on March 29, 2021
