By integrating drones and immersive technology, New Eyes Media has redefined the way travelers can experience El Salvador’s diverse landscapes, with inclusivity and adventure at the heart of it. Their innovative approach has not only created new opportunities for local tourism, but also earned them the top prize in the ‘Tourism Innovation’ category at the prestigious Entrepreneurship World Cup 2023-2024, organized by El Salvador’s Ministry of Economy.
We speak to Robert to learn more about how drones have enhanced New Eyes Media’s services, their impact on El Salvador’s tourism economy, and his vision for the future of drone tourism.
Hi Robert, congratulations to you and your team on winning the #DecadewithDJI contest! Can you tell us how the idea of providing immersive drone tours came about?
The idea was born out of our desire to stand out as an audiovisual production company. During our flight tests, we discovered great potential in the first-person view (FPV) drone modality when people would regularly approach us out of curiosity to see what we were doing.
On one particular occasion, the interest was so strong that we agreed to lend them our FPV goggles. We were amazed by their enthusiasm for viewing places from above in real time. That was where our journey began, inspiring us to shift from being purely an audiovisual production company to creators of unique, immersive experiences.
What are some of the ways travelers have experienced El Salvador through these tours?
Our tours cover a wide range of sights, including mountains, beaches, and cities. They also allow travelers to join in on activities such as corporate events, social gatherings, sporting and community events, concerts, and fairs.
Most people who have experienced our tours enjoy being able to explore these attractions or points of interest from a new perspective and are often surprised by the chance to see themselves and the landscapes - from the sky - in real-time. Additionally, these tours provide an invaluable opportunity for those who may not have easy access to tourism, such as people with disabilities, allowing them to experience travel in ways they never thought possible.
How have local businesses benefited from New Eyes Media’s drone-enabled services?
We work with hotels, restaurants, and parks to offer immersive flights that attract more customers. These recreational experiences enhance the appeal of these businesses, boosting their revenue and positively impacting El Salvador’s tourism economy. By integrating drone tours into their service portfolios, local businesses can offer guests a novel way to explore and enjoy their offerings.
What is your approach to drone and data security or privacy?
We conduct our drone flights in areas without usage restrictions and always obtain consent from participants to record and use the footage. The generated videos are stored on secure storage devices with data encryption to ensure privacy and protection.
What are your plans or vision for the use of drones in your industry in the next five to ten years?
Our goal is to expand our immersive drone travel services to more areas in El Salvador, establishing ourselves as a benchmark for innovative tourist experiences. We also aim to go beyond our borders and bring our unique services to other countries, so more people can enjoy the benefits of drone technologies.
It would be an honor to do this as ambassadors of the DJI brand in our country, so we can showcase both the beautiful landscapes of El Salvador as well the technologies that make these experiences possible.
To learn more about New Eyes Media, visit www.neweyesmedia.net.
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Over the past few weeks, we invited the drone community to share their stories as part of our #DecadeWithDJI campaign. The ingenious, creative, and meaningful use cases we received have inspired us to launch a content series of the same name. This series celebrates the drone pioneers, communities, and organizations that have built careers, businesses, and demonstrated positive impact through our drones. Follow the series here. |