KUCHING – “Metaverse Trails”, a ground-breaking innovation developed by a team of academics from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, has recently won the Grand Prize Innovation Diamond Award at the 3rd International Business and Management Virtual Innovation and Invention of Ideas Competition (VIIIC 2024), prevailing over 150 entries and a rigorous evaluation process involving more than 200 jurors.
“Metaverse Trails” was designed to transform the way that potential visitors interact with Sarawak’s rich array of attractions. By utilising advanced data visualisation techniques, this digital platform creates highly interactive and immersive virtual experiences that were previously unavailable in Malaysia’s tourism landscape.
Led by Dr Bibiana Lim Chiu Yiong, Head of the Learning and Teaching Unit, with team members comprising Dr Rodney Lim Thiam Hock and Dr Marc Arul Weissmann from the School of Business as well as Ts Dr Miko Chang May Lee and Ts Dr Vong Wan Tze from the School of Information and Communication Technologies, the project is aligned with Sarawak’s efforts to rejuvenate its community-based tourism (CBT) sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, as part of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.
This initiative acknowledges the pressing need for enhanced online visibility and promotion of local attractions, with stakeholders now exploring innovative digital solutions to breathe new life into the tourism industry.
Unlike traditional methods, “Metaverse Trails” combines interactive maps and dynamic data presentations to provide a seamless user experience. Visitors can navigate an engaging interface that showcases various CBT locations and nearby tourism hotspots, ranging from homestays and museums to the stunning national parks that Sarawak is renowned for. Each location is marked with detailed icons, allowing users to click and access comprehensive information, including activity highlights and contact details.
Dr Bibiana Lim, the project lead, emphasised that this innovative approach not only enhances user experience but also equips visitors with valuable insights to better organise their trips.
“Our goal is to make Sarawak’s unique offerings more accessible and appealing, thereby promoting sustainable growth in the CBT tourism sector,” she remarked.
Being recognised with the Grand Prize Innovation Diamond Award at VIIIC 2024 underscores the power of interdisciplinary teamwork in addressing contemporary challenges, particularly in the realms of digital transformation and sustainable community development. This synergy reinforces the notion that effective tourism revitalisation requires a blend of technology and cultural sensitivity.
(From left) Dr Bibiana Lim, Ts Dr Vong Wan Tze, Ts Dr Miko Chang and Dr Rodney Lim.
By embracing digital innovation, Sarawak aims not only to recover from the pandemic’s impact but also to position itself as a competitive player in the global tourism market. These initiatives are driven and supported by the state’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, a major proponent and advocate for the growth and positive branding of local tourism.
The “Metaverse Trails” project exemplifies Sarawak’s efforts in demonstrating how data-driven strategies can create resilient tourism ecosystems, preparing it for future disruptions while enhancing the visitor experience.
Furthermore, this project resonates with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11, which advocates for sustainable cities and communities, and aligns with Swinburne University of Technology’s Horizon 2025 vision – particularly its “moon shot” initiative aimed at improving local communities through research and technology.
As Sarawak embarks on this exciting journey towards a digitally integrated tourism sector, the potential for sustainable growth and enriched visitor engagement is boundless. The success of the “Metaverse Trails” project is a beacon of hope, demonstrating how innovation can bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, ultimately fostering a more vibrant and resilient tourism industry in Sarawak.
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