How XR and VR technologies are transforming tourism, offering unique "try before you buy" experiences, virtual postcards, and augmented attractions.
Introduction:
The advent of the metaverse has brought exciting possibilities for the tourism sector. Through the use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Extended Reality (XR), we are witnessing a transformative era where tourists can "try before they buy" holidays, send VR postcards, and enjoy augmented tourist attractions with a wealth of information and enhanced experiences. Let's explore these emerging trends and how they are redefining the way we perceive and experience travel.
"Try Before You Buy" Holidays:
Virtual platforms have made it possible to explore global landmarks from the comfort of your home. Take ZEPETO World, for example, an application that allows users to create personal avatars and explore Korea virtually. Similarly, the BCB Group has created a metaverse city representing some of the world's most visited destinations. This innovation allows potential travelers to virtually visit places before deciding to invest in an actual trip, providing a cost-effective and immersive way to plan holidays.
Virtual Reality Postcards:
In today's digital age, sending postcards has taken an innovative twist with VR. Imagine sharing immersive 360-degree snapshots of your holiday experiences, enabling your loved ones to virtually step into your shoes and explore your holiday destination as if they were there with you. It's a novel way to share memories, making them more vivid and engaging than traditional photos or videos.
Augmenting Tourist Attractions:
XR can add another layer of depth to physical attractions by providing additional information and immersive experiences. An excellent example of this is the augmented exhibition on the history of Notre-Dame de Paris by French start-up Histovery. Visitors use a “HistoPad” touch screen for an immersive tour that interacts with physical elements like giant photographs, 3-D models of statues, and audio reproductions of the cathedral's organs and bells. Such applications of XR offer an enriching, engaging, and educational experience to visitors.
Virtual Training and Onboarding:
The use of VR isn't limited to tourists alone. Businesses can also leverage it for training and onboarding staff. MGM Resorts International, in partnership with Strivr, developed VR headsets to give prospective staff a realistic sense of what working in MGM casinos and hotels entails. This initiative not only speeds up onboarding and upskilling but also increases employee confidence and familiarity with the company's procedures and culture.
The Future of Tourism:
As we move forward, the boundary between physical and digital spaces will continue to blur, bringing about even more innovative use cases of VR and XR in the tourism industry. Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has recently announced the entry of the ancient city of Hegra into the metaverse, making it the first UNESCO World Heritage Site to be digitally available for exploration.
Conclusion:
The use of VR and XR in tourism signifies a paradigm shift in the way we experience travel. From exploring destinations before booking, sharing immersive memories, to enriching physical attractions, these technologies are revolutionizing the tourism sector. The metaverse is opening up a world of limitless possibilities, making tourism more accessible, interactive, and engaging than ever before.
Read more
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/tourism-in-the-metaverse-can-travel-go-virtual?cid=soc-web
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