Jetwing Hotels first to introduce augmented reality

What makes the perfect ad?

Is it information? Content? Attractiveness? Maybe even eye-catching uniqueness?

The world of advertising will never be the same again, thanks to a radical piece of technology named Aurasma. Using a smart mobile device, the physical world will be augmented, merging seamlessly with the virtual to deliver digital content in real time – videos, animations, audio, and even mini-games.

Renowned for constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional hotel marketing, Jetwing Hotels unveils another first – a fully-customized app using Aurasma technology to seamlessly display content and offers through a smartphone. Available for download for both iOS and Android devices, Aurasma can deliver digital content in real time and boasts over 4 million downloads and over 8,000 apps. Simply put, the free app allows you “to discover, create, and share amazing virtual content, integrated into the real world.” No longer will print media be confined to a two dimensional image, as Jetwing Hotels brings an experience like no other to you, through your smartphone.

The Aurasma Lite app is free to download, from both Google Play and the App Store. Once installed, simply opening the app will be your entry point into the world of augmented, interactive reality. The app is used to scan specially-designed advertisements, easily recognizable by the Aurasma logo. A trigger image is read by the app, referred to as a “super aura” and automatically begins to display unique content.

Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka’s premier resort chain, is the first to introduce an Aurasma powered augmented reality campaign, targeting those who want more than just a lovely image and text within an advertisement. The massive campaign is spread over a variety of print media, both in Sri Lanka and internationally via reputed publications such as Brides of Sri Lanka, National Geographic, Serendib, Explore Sri Lanka, Lanka Woman, Travel Talk, SriLankan Onboard, Living, Business Today, Daily Mirror, and the Daily FT.

“Thanks to the innovative technology that is Aurasma, we are breaking new grounds in both our communications, as well as within the industry. We believe that through Aurasma, we deliver an interactive experience to those around the world who are curious about our island, encouraging them to visit and bridging the gap between offline and online communications,” said Ishanth Gunawardene, Head of Sales and Marketing for Jetwing.

“Jetwing as a truly inspiring and pioneering Sri Lankan brand has kept pace with innovation in harnessing and leveraging the technologies of the day to ensure our relevance in the new digital age, aimed at the future and the next generation of customers,” he continued.

Matt Mills, Head of Global Partnerships at Aurasma said: “We are delighted to be working with Jetwing Hotels – an organization renowned for its luxury, innovation, and hospitality. The team at Jetwing immediately understood that by using our technology to deliver video through their print ads, they could take readers even closer to their dream holiday. It’s a wonderful campaign – our first in Sri Lanka and South Asia – and we look forward to working with Jetwing to deliver many more successful campaigns.”

Family owned and in the tourism industry for the past 39 years, Jetwing Hotels has surpassed expectation at every aspect. Building on their foundation of being passionate, as well as the experience of true traditional Sri Lankan hospitality, constantly pioneering discoveries captures the essence of the brand. Such a strong statement and direction have enabled Jetwing Hotels to imagine, create, and manage marvels and masterpieces, where distinctive design and elegant comfort complement each other and the environment. Considered a priority, sustainable and responsible practice is implemented through the award-winning Jetwing Eternal Earth Program, with energy efficiency, community upliftment, and education of Earth-saving measures to schoolchildren being a few tenets of the program.