Sygic Shrinks the World with Launch of VR App, Helping to Inspire Travellers Exploring New Destinations in 360°

The VR app lets users walk around and familiarize themselves with top locations across the globe, helping travellers and drivers to research potential destinations before committing to vacations. The app contains VR images and videos from the most popular vacation spots; take a midnight tour under the Eiffel Tower in Paris or roam the medieval old towns of Belgium, taking in the impressive centuries old architecture.

All footage is captured by a professional “Sygic Traveller”, individually employed by Sygic to travel the globe for a year, recording their journey to share in 360° virtual reality. Sygic aims to build a library of thousands of different pieces of VR footage from all the most attractive destinations across the world within one year.

Sygic gained a name for itself bringing innovative technology, such as the Sygic GPS navigation app, the first navigation app ever launched on iPhone back in 2009. In April 2016, the company pivoted to form Sygic Travel, launching its end-to-end travel companion service. The release of its new VR app builds on Sygic’s strategy to enhance the travelling experience for people across the globe.

The virtual reality market is experiencing enormous growth, with experts predicting sales of head mounted displays (HMD) growing at nearly five times the rate of the iPhone between 2014 and 2018. By the end of 2016, Samsung will lead sales of VR headsets, selling 5 million units, according to Travis Jakel, analyst at Piper Jaffray. This technology has transformed a number of industries, changing the way that consumers interact with video content.

According to experts from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), two out of three US travellers claim they “would be influenced after being exposed to VR experiences”, as reported by Mashable.

With the release of their VR app, Sygic is now offering this technology free of charge, helping to further its travel offering to millions across the globe. Sygic is dedicated to enhancing the travel experience for people at every stage in the journey, from the initial vacation inspiration, planning, through to exploring new lands after arrival.

“Sygic has developed the most advanced travel planner,” says Sygic’s founder and CEO Michal Štencl. “The addition of new VR app to our suite of travel tools means we are now able to offer the best travel experience, on the road, off the road, and now in virtual reality too. Our goal is to inspire drivers and travelers to explore the world with confidence.”