Meet Sara and Wawa, Sarawak Tourism Board's augmented reality mascots launched in Kuching on Tuesday (June 7). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Visitors to Sarawak will now be welcomed by Sara and Wawa - the augmented reality (AR) characters serving as mascots and virtual assistants for the state's tourism industry.
Launched by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Sara is an animated Orang Ulu girl in traditional dress and Wawa - a Rhinoceros hornbill - is the state emblem.
State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this marked STB’s first foray into AR technology, in line with the aim of Sarawak's tourism master plan to embark on virtual tourism.
"The mascots can be deployed in strategic locations with internet connectivity to welcome visitors and also provide them with a fun and innovative tourism experience while exploring Sarawak.
"This latest development will bring the tourism industry to greater heights and increase Sarawak’s visibility worldwide," he said when launching the mascots on Tuesday (June 7).
Abdul Karim said the public could enjoy Sara and Wawa's hospitality at the Rainforest World Music Festival on June 17-19.
"This is one way to create greater attraction at the festival," he said.
STB digital marketing and communications director Melvin Jong said the AR characters would be deployed in future activities, including as chatbots and virtual assistants on STB’s website.
For a start, he said, visitors could scan a QR code to deploy Sara and Wawa on their device screen.
"Once it is deployed, we can strategically locate it, give it personal messages to welcome visitors to Sarawak and provide information on the state.
"It can be deployed in any location as long as there is internet connectivity," Jong said, adding that users could also take photos and selfies with the mascots.
