Virtual Tourism Explained: What, Where And Why

As the COVID19 pandemic restricts the whereabouts of people, hotels, destinations, and travelers have felt the effects. Tourism has been halted, local vacations are often out of the question, and as more people work from home, business travel has also declined. 

However, virtual travel is picking up speed. Hotels and destinations that know how to use the trend will set themselves up for success as the world returns to normal and travelers pack their bags again. 

(image source)

What Is Virtual Tourism? 

Virtual Tourism offers people an amazing experience of a travel destination through the use of technology. There are countless different types of virtual tourism offerings, but generally, there is a combination of virtual reality, still, images, video, audio, narration, interactivity, and other multimedia formats.

You can access this virtual travel through a virtual reality headset for the most enjoyable experience, you can also use a normal computer or even a mobile device.

What Are The Advantages Of Virtual Tourism? 

(image source)

Since people are experiencing, places and destinations from the comfort of their own homes, virtual tourism has many clear advantages. The obvious advantage is that the person can see and experience a place without having to travel to it, which means they are not limited by available flights, travel logistics, safety concerns, and rules of destinations. You don’t even have to think about time zones or weather conditions. 

The other big benefit for viewers is cost. Virtual travel makes destinations accessible to people who could not otherwise afford to travel there. Viewers can derive benefit from the rise of virtual tourist destinations and the growth in quality and quantity of virtual content.

Virtual tourism technology also offers great marketing opportunities. Prospective guests can see a 360-degree view of a property and its amenities instead of flat images on a brochure or website. Viewers who have experienced a hotel or venue through virtual tourism are more likely to book a future stay and eagerly await to experience the activity in the “real world.” 

(image source)

Other Advantages Of Virtual Travel

  • The phenomenal experience allows people to imagine a travel destination. 
  •  The viewer can control what they see of a subject by experiencing 360 degrees of a location. 
  •  All aspects of a travel destination can be displayed in high resolution. 
  •  The impact of tourism in vulnerable destinations will be reduced. 

Here is the list of some of our most popular virtual tourism experiences from around the world. While each place offers something unique, the common thing is that each is created to give easy, secure, and interactive access to a location. 

Most Popular Virtual Travel Experience

  1. The Faroe Islands 

The Faroe Islands launched a virtual travel experience during the pandemic and began offering people an alternative way to travel there. 

At the beginning of this global crisis, they sat together wondering how can they create an experience in the Faroe Islands for those who had to cancel their trip. They had an idea. What if people from anywhere in the world travel to the islands as virtual tourists? What if virtual tourists could monitor the movements of locals in real-time? They acted on these thoughts and created the fantastic Farore Islands virtual tour.

  1. Bristol From Home 

(image source)

Visit Bristol in England has also created an engaging virtual traveling experience during the COVID19 pandemic. Bristol From Home offers a collection of travelers’ favorite ideas, inspiration, and resources so they can have an interactive and enjoyable experience of Bristol.

The site offers tons of virtual options, including luxury Victorian boat tours, hot air balloon rides, walking trails, all in one place. 

  1. Dubai 360 

(image source)

See the amazing architecture of Dubai with Dubai 360, a fascinating virtual sightseeing experience that allows users to get a panoramic view of the city and learn all about the places scattered around the place. 

Dubai 360 brings a professional and high-quality experience and improves your traveling experience from the comfort of your homes. This service is equally beneficial for Hotels, Restaurants, Beaches, national parks, etc.

4. Great Barrier Reef 

The Great Barrier Reef offers a virtual travel experience as well. The amazing journey is hosted by legendary historian David Attenborough, who guides viewers through the world’s largest coral reef system. 

This is much more than just a replacement for tours of the Great Barrier Reef, it is an experience in itself and shows just how dynamic virtual tourism can be. Showing all that destination has to offer is a great way to spark excitement and inspire them to plan their real holidays in the future. 

Thus, Virtual tourism has been regarded as a way for destinations to underline the intangibles of their place, capture the aura of the place, and spark the interest of travelers who might not visit otherwise.

Even for the audience, virtual travel is a unique experience that definitely leaves its mark. It is the gift of the pandemic to the world, but it will continue to last even after the pandemic. With its interactive and engaging content, virtual travel will be a preference for many people in the coming years.

Do you want to book a virtual tour? Read our blog on Virtual Travel Agencies and Their Amazing Tours.

 

 

Explified