Tencent-Backed Zanadu Expands Popular Lifestyle Travel Platform with launch of VR Content App

BEIJING, Jan. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Zanadu.cn, China's premium lifestyle travel platform becomes the first to offer affluent Chinese travellers a unique way to enhance their travel experience with help from a new Travel Virtual Reality app, available for downloading on both the iOS App store and Android's Google Play Store.

The app features VR content that provides an experiential view of the world's most amazing travel destinations. Zanadu, having recently raised more than CNY80 million (USD12.5 million+) in its A+ financing round led by Tencent Holdings Limited, is well-poised as an up-and-coming leader in travel technology and China's continually-growing luxury travel market.

Travel VR App download link: http://zanadu.cn/vr/app/download

China's first luxury travel website and online travel agency has expanded its platform into the world of Virtual Reality -- making Zanadu the first and only VR travel content producer and distributer in the market and enhancing the booking process with this latest technology. The Beijing-based company will also be China's very first VR Company to provide complete solutions that include VR content production, content distribution, marketing and booking services to the travel industry.

Leveraging Zanadu's leadership position in the luxury travel industry and existing business relationships with some of the world's most exclusive hotels and resorts, Zanadu will collaborate with premium partners in the luxury hotels and travel industries to produce premium travel VR content that features the most glamourous destinations to entice even the most discerning traveller.

"The luxury travel industry in China is experiencing a major growth spurt. The affluent Chinese traveller is always looking for new outlets to explore a chosen destination before making a financial commitment. Zanadu saw this demand as the perfect opportunity to create a virtual reality bridge between travellers and luxe destinations, through a unique experiential journey,'' said Creative Director & CMO of Zanadu, Dirk Eschenbacher.

''With VR becoming an increasingly hot topic, this move helps to push forward the Chinese VR Market, where currently only very limited VR content is available. This will help us to become the number 1 VR travel content producer and distributer in the Chinese market and also on a global level.''

Zanadu believes that "experiences and stories" are the building-blocks of life and carefully curate some of the world's best destinations and journeys where amazing experiences and stories are guaranteed to happen. Products such as boutique and design hotels, private villas, bespoke itineraries and luxury cruises cater to Chinese travellers who increasingly value experiences more than material possessions.

The company's initial foray into the Travel Virtual Reality includes a new APP which features China's first virtual reality (VR) travel film ''The Dream'', taking viewers onto a cinematic and immersive travel experience. The video is the first of many with 30-40 slated for release on the Zanadu platform and on 3rd party platforms like Samsung's MILK and Oculus and Youtube 360 in 2016 alone. In conjunction with the App launch, Zanadu also launched Zanadu Studio, a content production studio specializing in high-quality experiential and travel themed content, both in 2D and VR. Zanadu has also formed a strategic content partnership with Tencent Video to feature its travel VR content on Tencent's VR app. Both the major VR headset manufacturers and major video websites are moving towards launching VR platforms as the technology continues to gain popularity. However, quality content itself is in short supply and will be in much demand as more consumers adapt to VR. Live event broadcast and travel content offer a good user-case for the immersive medium and Zanadu plans to work with all major platforms to provide best-in-class travel VR content.

Zanadu is not only known for its selection of outstanding travel products, but also for high-end content with several impressive collaborations with top brands and celebrities. Notable projects include a very successful WeChat channel, and a short film with Cui Jian, the famed Chinese artist often cited as "the Father of Chinese Rock" in partnership with Maserati, a series of films with Mini Cooper, a travel-themed music video with Hong Kong actress and singer-songwriter Karen Mok and a personal travel journey with top fashion photographer Chen Man. By pioneering innovative travel content with Virtual Reality, Zanadu is aiming to bring experiential journeys even closer to the Chinese traveller.

Zanadu's initial 360 degree Virtual Reality Travel Journey, The Dream, was shot in Thailand in October 2015 and can be viewed online along with an exclusive behind-the-scenes video.

The Dream on Youtube 360: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uePXk9G22Iw
Behind the scene of The Dream on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27Tu6AfBZFc

About Zanadu:

Zanadu is China's premiere online travel agency and lifestyle content platform for discerning Chinese travellers seeking an authentic, curated travel experience. Zanadu provides its members with inspiration, knowledge and exclusive deals on the world's most amazing vacations. A network of jet-setting correspondents and curators hand-pick and review all hotels and resorts on Zanadu.cn. Established in 2012, Zanadu provides high-end Chinese travellers the best possible price for the best possible vacation and appeals to the growing numbers of Chinese travellers who are looking for unique travel experiences that create lasting memories. Zanadu raised more than CNY80 million (USD12.5 million+) in its A+ financing round led by Tencent Holdings Limited (SEHK 700).

Tencent is one of China's largest internet companies and is publicly traded on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160122/324967

SOURCE Zanadu

Related Links

http://zanadu.cn