In today's digital age, social media provides a glimpse of the world, sparking our curiosity about new destinations, where to travel, and hidden gems to explore. However, this often leaves us wanting more, leading us to virtual walk-throughs of places and countries that have piqued our interest. This is where Google Maps comes in, helping us dive deeper into our future travel destinations. But who are the masterminds behind these virtual experiences? Enter Federico Debetto and Dimitar Kunev with their company, World Travel in 360, who bring the world to our screens.
Unfortunately, Google Maps has a lot of missing pieces. Antigua and Barbuda are known for their white sandy beaches, stunning landscapes, and historical landmarks, but lacked visibility on Google Street View. Without a digital presence, local businesses missed out on extra revenue, tourists couldn't fully explore all the islands had to offer, and some may never have thought to even go there—until now. Federico and his team took on the challenge of capturing the beauty of these islands with Insta360 Titan, the 11K VR 360º camera. By bringing these islands to Google Maps and Street View, World Travel in 360 boosted visibility for local businesses and made visiting this island paradise accessible to more people.
We spoke to Federico to learn more about his journey and the challenges and triumphs of mapping Antigua and Barbuda with Insta360 Titan.
From Concept to Reality
Hi Federico! Can you please tell us more about yourself—who you are, where you're from, and what you do?
I'm Federico Debetto, CEO and co-owner of World Travel in 360, with my business partner and friend, Dimitar Kunev. World Travel in 360 is a company 100% focused on projects based on Google Maps and Street View technology and everything related to that, such as virtual tours, updates of satellite views, and advanced photogrammetry products. We are also contributors to Mapillary and OpenStreetMap.
What was the Antigua and Barbuda Street View Mapping Project about, and what was your main goal?
Antigua and Barbuda are literally a paradise on Earth: two islands with white sandy tropical beaches, incredible landscapes, and historical landmarks that lacked visibility due to the missing Street View of the nation.
We solved that problem following the request of the local government and tourism board, reaching the goal of mapping 1200km of roads in 11K quality. Thanks to the power of Insta360 Titan, which we customized for this purpose, and the creation of a global virtual tour of the nation, now everything interesting around the island can be seen online.
Overcoming Challenges
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during this project?
Undoubtedly, the logistics, as Antigua and Barbuda are on the opposite side of the world to our HQ in Sofia, Bulgaria, so the logistic plan was crucial to ensuring smooth operations. Data storage was also a crucial issue, as was having every possible spare part. If something is missed, it can stop or delay the project. Once you take note of all that, you need to try and find a way to fit all that equipment into your luggage!
How did you collaborate with local businesses and communities in Antigua and Barbuda for this project?
Those projects are always game-changers for local businesses. With that in mind, we have created a series of initiatives, webinars, and public presentations. We ran a short video on national TV to inform business owners about the project and its benefits. We opened the possibility of including local businesses in the global virtual tour of the nation, available on the national tourism site, to maximize their exposure and advertising. We also did a lecture at the University of the West Indies to involve the students who were very interested in understanding the project and how we made it possible.
How did you ensure the accuracy and up-to-date nature of the satellite images used in the project? Can you describe the process of mapping 1200km of roads?
First, there is a huge research phase behind a project like this. We have a dedicated and skilled team that prepares a detailed plan for the operators on the field. One thing we found was that the satellite imagery of most of the islands was outdated. In the areas where it was relatively new, the overall quality was poor. We decided to involve our satellite imagery team and offer the possibility to those who requested it to update and enhance the satellite view of their business.
What criteria were used to select a 360º camera for this project, and why did you choose Insta360 Titan?
When we talk about Street View-related projects, there is no doubt about the choice of camera! At World Travel in 360, we have been Titan lovers since 2019, when we used it to map all the islands of the Zanzibar archipelago. Titan's quality is, in my opinion, the highest available on the market, with excellent dynamic range. Thanks to our experience with Titan, we are 99% sure that we will come back home with the expected number of roads mapped.
The Future of 360º VR in Tourism
How do you see the role of 360º VR evolving in the travel and tourism industry?
VR has been prominent in the tourism industry for a while. Still, with new technologies and the increase in bandwidth and processing power of mobile devices, VR is becoming a more popular tool. The advantages of tourism promotion are increasing exponentially year by year.
What upcoming projects are you most excited about, and will you use Insta360 Titan again?
We use Titan for all our projects, so it is and will be our companion for all of them! As I said, I really believe it's got the best image resolution on the market. We have a couple of other projects starting soon on tropical islands, but it's too early to speak about them… Maybe in the next interview!
Do you have any tips for other filmmakers using Insta360 Titan for similar projects?
Practice a lot with your Titan before using it on real jobs! The camera has a lot of possibilities, but we have learned how to squeeze out all its power after hundreds of hours on the field. So test, test, test, and then go and get the best from it.
Federico Debetto and World Travel in 360 are setting new standards for digital mapping and virtual tourism. Their dedication, innovation, and collaboration provide beautiful destinations like Antigua and Barbuda with a digital presence, inspiring travelers and supporting local communities.
Keen to keep up to date on Insta360 stories? Keep an eye on our blog and sign up for our mailing list. You can also contact our Enterprise team directly to see how 360 cameras can benefit your business.
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