Bouncing back and driving tourism with metaverse

The maiden post-pandemic New Year countdown in i-City this year will include its global assets – Mercu Maybank, DoubleTree by Hilton, Best Western Hotel and Central i-City Mall as well as a 5G service provider.

WHILE the tourism industry almost ground to a standstill during the Covid-19 pandemic, i-City stayed unwavering on its track, steadily growing its digital and global assets, namely Mercu Maybank, DoubleTree by Hilton, Best Western Hotel and Central i-City Mall.

As the end of the year shifts ever closer, there is the realisation that the nation has so many reasons to be thankful for. And to help celebrate the coming of the new year, i-City seeks to bring its guests an unforgettable countdown experience come December.

It promises a feast for the senses with a grand display of fireworks that will attract a footfall of at least 100,000 visitors, including 1,500 Mercu Maybank employees and their families to i-City.

i-City will also be partnering with DoubleTree by Hilton and Best Western hotels to provide their guests with an unforgettable new year experience with views of the bustling fireworks from their rooms and extended shopping hours at Central i-City Mall.

A key enabler of the metaverse is the fifth generation (5G) of cellular networks. i-City is geared up for the deployment of 5G technology, enabling its smart community to gain a significant edge in connectivity benefits and the explosion of service-based activities. This countdown will also include the participation of a 5G service provider.

With its RM10mil digital transformation enhancements progressing well on time, a metaverse experience will also be unveiled at i-City’s 2023 New Year countdown and also at SnoWalk, a -8°C arctic snow play attraction, visitors can catch sightings of the aurora borealis.

Additionally, visitors to its City of Digital Lights, which received CNN’s accolade, will be transposed to an immersive metaverse experience, which is expected to attract some 10 million visitors in 2023.

Tech-driven enabler

As a next-generation smart city, i-City has been revolutionary in the adoption of innovative technology into the fabric of its development.

It is the first urban development with a Tier-3 certified data centre on-site and the mother of all internet, served by a super AI and dual-fibre network.

The i-City Finance Avenue is already achieving its goal of becoming the enabler for global MNCs and tech-driven companies which includes fintech and insurtech. It comprises Mercu Maybank and DoubleTree by Hilton which are already in operation, will soon open the BeCentral residences, premium office and retail space for sale, while the international convention centre is expected to open end of next year – all connected to Central i-City Mall within walking distance.