Frontgrid, an expert in adventure leisure and virtual reality attractions, has announced the installation of ParadropVR, the company’s virtual reality flying experience, at Quest in Qatar.
The one-of-a-kind indoor destination is a 27,500 sqm experiential theme park, acting as an anchor attraction within the wider Doha Oasis development. The Doha Oasis has been conceived as a high-end mixed-use development in the centre of Musheireb, in the State of Qatar.
The nine-floor project features 245 luxury residences; a three-storey retail and dining centre named the Doha Oasis Boutique, state-of-the-art VIP cinemas. There is also a huge 29-floor tower that houses a prestigious seven-star hotel.
Born adventurer
Once a paratrooper in the army, Frontgrid chief executive and co-founder Matt Wells has progressed to build businesses with an adventure activity-focus, in over fifty locations around the world.
He continues: “The Middle East is a natural playground for adventure activities. With a great deal of investment and development in the region, it is now also leading the way in terms of the adoption of new technologies such as AR, VR, and 3D, creating new frontiers for experiences.
“Frontgrid is proud to be part of the exciting new opening of Doha Oasis Quest.”
The Quest venue itself features 21 attractions in addition to the popular ParadropVR experience, broken down into a combination of 7 thrill ventures, 8 family experiences, and 7 children’s attractions.
“A powerful sensory experience”
The ParadropVR product range last year benefited from a number of upgrades, meaning the attraction is more cost-effective and immersive than before for operators and guests respectively.
Wells adds “What sets ParadropVR apart is that it is not just a virtual reality experience. It combines motion and the sensation of air, to really make it feel like you are flying. It allows you to explore your environment from the sky, choosing your own journey.
“So, you could simply float around and admire the incredible view; which is quite a powerful sensory experience in itself. Or, you can choose to follow one of the trails of rings in the sky, encouraging you to dip and turn and collect points along the way.”
Different times
Head of Operations at Frontgrid’s head of operations, Neil Hudson, waited until COVID restrictions were lifted to fly out to Qatar and assemble the ParadropVR units.
Hudson discusses some of the challenges of installing during the pandemic: “Obviously we took all precautions and heeded all governmental and international travel advice. In total, the travel there and back included six precautionary COVID-19 tests and a seven-day hotel quarantine.
“Still, after a year of venues experiencing closures or part closures across the world, it is important that sites get themselves ready for when they can reopen and travel resumes so that they can capitalise on the visitor spend.
“Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup this year so there is a lot of building happening including new stadiums. Doha Oasis Quest will be fully ready to serve the footfall from that event. Having had a sneak preview of the construction in progress, I can tell you it is a great attraction!”
Wells concludes, “ParadropVR sits well within that mix offering the future of experience, we very much look forward to seeing further visitors welcomed.”
An international experience
The latest installation means ParadropVR now features in ten different countries, with other installations in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with others potentially in the pipeline for the area.
ParadropVR can also be experienced in Denmark, India, Malaysia, Thailand, the UK, and Ukraine, with another installation to soon open in the US.
