Kicking off the Autumn, we brought together organisations from the tourism sector to explore how 5G and immersive technologies can elevate the North East's offerings through talks, panel discussions and collaborative design thinking sessions.  

The tourism sector in the North East, worth £6.1 billion and supporting 66,000 jobs, aims to double its GDP in ten years through investment, attracting major events, and promoting sustainability. Early adopters of immersive tech in tourism are expected to grow revenue 30% faster than non-adopters in the next five years, making our introduction of this technology especially timely.

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5G & Theatre Comes Together

Angus Verhagen from Vodafone’s Innovation team showcased how Ultra 5G can elevate the tourism sector by enhancing immersive experiences. He shared examples like the Düsseldorf Opera House, where AR glasses provide real-time content, including plot background, actor biographies, and orchestra pit views during live performances. Thanks to 5G’s low latency and high-speed connectivity, audiences can engage with additional layers of content, creating a more enriching and immersive experience.

5G in Action

Workshop attendees were also able to explore ArtVive’s and PiCARD’s AR-enhanced postcards. This demonstrated an accessible entry point for tourism businesses into immersive tech.  

We also showcased exclusive videos from SENSECity’s Historiscope at Stirling Castle, which offers immersive experiences even in areas with limited connectivity.  

Stirling’s AR app, developed by Seymourpowell, was also part of our exclusive showreel, showing how 5G elevates the tech's capabilities with interactive maps and quests.  

MAADIGITAL’s live presentation of their AR project, LetsARgo, further underscored the transformative power of AR in tourism spaces.

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Panel Takeaways

Our panel brought together experts from the tourism, networking, and immersive tech sectors. We were joined by Colin Kelly, the Managing Director of MAADIGITAL; Danny Hoyle, the Senior Business Development Manager at Accelleran; and Jonathan Harris, the Programme Director of Connecting Cumbria.

Discussions centred around the deployment of digital infrastructure in a geographically complex area where tourism is vital, the transition from public to private networks, and the importance of a seamless connection between technology and user experience.  

Let’s Design-Think Together

The second half of our tourism workshop was a collaborative brainstorming session in which attendees discussed challenges, possibilities and blockers for adopting this technology.

The major hurdles highlighted here included cost, maintenance, and lack of resources.  Within groups, it became clear that there was still knowledge that needed to be acquired, with attendees unsure about which tech to adopt and voicing concerns about the speed of technology progression and the challenge of handling large amounts of data.

Despite concerns, there was plenty of excitement around the potential of these advanced technologies to drive engagement. Participants felt that immersive experiences could be a major draw to public spaces, especially for families as they can serve as an enabler for children, enhancing experiences in historical places.  

There was also enthusiasm about the potential for 5G to improve accessibility, particularly in bridging the urban-rural divide with better connectivity.

As the activity came to a close, participants delved into current projects and envisioned future use-cases, blending practical examples with ambitious ideas. Attendees explored possibilities for immersive tech in venues such as the Civic Centre, considering partnerships, events, and broadcasts. Concepts ranged from autonomous vehicles on 5G to AR avatars for navigation, immersive pitch-side views at football matches, streaming weddings via AR for remote relatives, and even using AR for hotel experiences and parking assistance.

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Feedback

The event showcased the benefits and uses of 5G and immersive technology and organisations left with a better understanding. One attendee said:

“I found the event at the Immersive Lab very informative, also great for networking and understanding future technologies.”

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Final Thoughts

Come and pop in to our brand new 5G Immersive Lab in Eldon Square in Newcastle City Centre to learn more about how we can help you with 5G and immersive technologies.  

We also still have an upcoming workshop and our tourism open call on the horizon, please follow us on social media or get in touch with Jenna Ingoe for further information: jenna.ingoe@sunderlandsoftwarecity.com

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