Midwam Edutainment, a Saudi Arabia based technology company offering turnkey solutions for 3D, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), received recognition and positive feedback for its project revolutionizing a UNESCO World Heritage site Bait Nassief in Jeddah using multiple technology platforms. Midwam uses multiple hardware and software platforms to change the way tourism is visualized across the Kingdom. By creating convenient and accessible tools, tourists and citizens are empowered to take on a new form of tourism using Virtual reality from their smartphones. Aimed at transforming and enhancing the overall experience and aesthetics for tourists, Midwam Edutainment showcased this technology at the Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market Forum (STTIM), held recently in Riyadh. Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) who graced the event and commended Midwan Edutainment's work, said: “I believe that technology holds many promises for the overall national economy. By changing how we experience our environment, the best-of AR and VR technologies also prompt growth of other verticals such as tourism and education. These pioneering technologies are currently implemented by the SCTA in 25 museums in Saudi Arabia. Midwan's work in Jeddah's UNESCO World Heritage Site is one-of-a-kind, and we encourage more people to visit and absorb the country's rich history and culture.” Khalid Muawad, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Midwam Edutainment, said: “In this technologically driven era, people now thirst for new experiences within travel. They seek interaction, communication and sharing as tools to supplement what they see, hear and taste. By weaving technology with imagination, we are creating such newly demanded aesthetics. This takes travel and adventure to an all-new, never-before experienced domain. This is where the future of travel lies.” Hattan Nassief, Head of the Development Department at Midwam, highlighted the company's augmented reality technologies to HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) who applauded the ability of these technologies to change the landscape of the tourism market in the Kingdom. Mats W. Johansson, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Eon Reality, Midwam's foreign partner said: “We are excited to participate in the Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market Forum 2015, and spotlight our current work across the country. Being the perfect platform for all stakeholders in the tourism industry as well as private and public sector, we hope to form strategic collaborations and exchange critical know-how on addressing key challenges and opportunities in the travel market. We have opted to cooperate with SCTA for its pioneering role on the technological levels and since it won many excellence awards for applying advanced technologies. This is what we witnessed ourselves during our visit to SCTA which is one of the most technologically advanced entities and which has mature management leading it to becoming a role model.” Sponsored by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market Forum is a key event with multiple activities aimed to both B2B (business) and B2C (public) target groups. This year, more than 80 local and international experts discussed issues of relevance within tourism, investment opportunities and the future of the market in Saudi Arabia during 40 workshops and lectures catered to the tourism workforce. — SG
