Exeter Airport has released a virtual tour on its website to allow travellers to digitally explore the airport in its entirety before their trips. The virtual tour features the car parks, check-in, security, departure lounges, and gates, and aims to reduce anxiety and make the airport process more accessible.
Exeter Airport partnered with The Virtual Tour Experts, a company based in Sidmouth that specialises in accessible 360° tours. The service features the incorporation of British Sign Language, and sensory-aware features such as ambient soundscapes and day and night modes to represent different travel conditions. It also has an autopilot function that provides step-by-step guidance from the entrance to the gate to enhance wayfinding.
From a commercial perspective, passengers can use the tour to book parking, browse duty-free offers, and access executive lounges.
According to a survey conducted by The Virtual Tour Experts, 97 per cent rated the tours as an easy way to navigate and 95 per cent felt that it would increase confidence when travelling.
“This project underlines our commitment to making Exeter one of the UK’s most accessible and welcoming regional airports, and is designed to make travel easier and more enjoyable for everyone,” said Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport. “We’re proud to provide passengers with tools that not only ease anxiety but also make planning their journey simple, enjoyable and inclusive.”
“Being selected for the Future of Air Mobility Accelerator was a huge endorsement of our mission to make travel more accessible,” commented Neil Henderson, Managing Director of The Virtual Tour Experts. “We chose Exeter Airport because it is a progressive regional hub that shares our values of inclusivity and innovation. This project shows how airports of all sizes can harness immersive technology to reduce anxiety, build confidence, and create a more welcoming journey for every passenger.”
Photo: Exeter Airport
