Nelson Airport
Industry
Project Scope
Aviation & Travel
Augmented Reality (AR) Campaigns, 360° Virtual Tours, and Bilingual Digital Experiences
Background
Nelson Airport Limited (NAL) is a key regional hub for travellers in New Zealand, welcoming thousands of passengers every year. As part of its commitment to enhancing the passenger experience, NAL partnered with Digital Diligence Limited (DDL) to create engaging, interactive, and culturally significant digital activations. This included:
Augmented Reality (AR) experiences for key seasonal events
A 360° virtual, interactive, bilingual tour of the airport and surrounding precinct
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori activations to celebrate and promote the Māori language
DDL’s expertise in AR, VR, and digital transformation helped NAL deliver a next-generation travel experience that entertained, educated, and engaged visitors.
Solution & Implementation
1. Augmented Reality (AR) Seasonal Activations
Easter, Christmas, and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
To bring the airport to life during key seasonal events, DDL designed and implemented immersive AR experiences accessible via smartphones. These campaigns included:
Easter: A digital Easter egg hunt where travellers could scan QR codes throughout the terminal to uncover hidden virtual eggs, unlocking instant rewards with additional gamification through a dynamic prize-wheel
Christmas: An interactive advent calendar where visitors could use their phones to unlock a different advent calendar door each day, each providing a different prize
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori: A Māori language activation featuring animated AR animations that linked to videos in AR that taught travellers common te reo Māori phrases with a travel context
These activations created memorable experiences, increased passenger engagement, and enhanced NAL’s reputation as an innovative airport embracing digital experiences.
2. 360° Virtual, Interactive, Bilingual Tour
To make Nelson Airport more accessible and engaging for all travellers, DDL developed a high-resolution, interactive 360° virtual tour of the entire airport precinct and surrounding streets.
Key Features:
Bilingual Navigation (English & Te Reo Māori): Users could explore the airport in either language, aligning with New Zealand’s commitment to bilingualism.
Interactive Hotspots: Users could click on key areas such as check-in counters, lounges, car parks, and local attractions for detailed information.
Embedded arrival and departure tracking: A tour highlight includes being able to view the real-time arrivals and departures board within the 360 experience
Mobile & Desktop Compatibility: Accessible on both smartphones and desktop devices, allowing travellers to explore the airport before arriving.
This solution was particularly beneficial for first-time travellers, international visitors, and passengers with accessibility needs, providing a seamless, informative, and interactive way to navigate the airport before stepping foot inside.
Conclusion
Through a strategic blend of AR innovation and immersive digital experiences, Digital Diligence Limited helped Nelson Airport Limited redefine passenger engagement. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, NAL was able to create an inclusive, interactive, and culturally enriched travel experience that set new standards for regional airports in New Zealand.
Interested in elevating your travel or public space experience? Contact Digital Diligence Limited to explore innovative solutions tailored to your needs.
Results & Impact
Increased Passenger Engagement: The AR activations saw ongoing increases in participation among travellers, with strong engagement across all seasonal campaigns.
Enhanced Cultural Awareness: The Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori AR experience was widely shared on social media and through other public channels, promoting an innovative and fun way to engage with and learn simple phrases by all ages
Positive Brand Perception: The interactive 360° tour was widely praised by passengers and precinct stakeholders, reinforcing NAL’s position as a forward-thinking airport.
Higher Digital Engagement: The virtual tour saw over 10,000 views in the first three months, demonstrating strong interest and usage among travellers.