THE Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ Living Seas Wales team has won the Pembrokeshire Tourism ‘Business Innovation Award’ for their Sea Wales 7D augmented reality (AR) experience and roadshow events.

The award was presented to the trust at the prestigious awards evening at Meadow House Holiday Park, Amroth hosted by popular radio presenter Andrew ‘Tommo’ Thomas.

Gina Gavigan, marketing and development manager at The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the ‘Business Innovation’ category.

“Our unique (AR) experience; Sea Wales7D has raised awareness of some of the amazing marine wildlife that call Wales home and inspired thousands of local residents and visitors to Wales to care and more importantly take action for our precious wildlife.

“Using innovative technology and creating ‘wow experiences is a great way to highlight our important conservation work and research to a wide audience.”

Sea Wales 7D is an innovative group experience which lasts around six minutes. Using the very latest in augmented reality 7D technology users step into the mobile 7D Dome to experience the unexpected.

They feel like they’ve been transported to a wild Welsh coastal location. The 7D augmented reality technology allows the user to have a completely unique ‘sense of discovery’’ focusing on our Welsh coast and marine wildlife.

Realistic CGI animation, an overlay of sound, wind and water spray literally brings the experience to life as users get up close and personal to a variety of amazing marine wildlife including bottlenose dolphins, puffins, seals, porpoise and a thresher shark. When the dolphins and thresher shark leap out of the water, users get wet.