As the world adjusts to life after a pandemic, travel has proved itself to be both resilient and vital to how our societies function. From business conferences to holidays to a means of escape, our world just wasnt the same in the dark days of no transport. Now as we embrace the future of travel it is worth unraveling the trends that will shape tomorrow’s tourist. From natural disasters to conflict zones to unequal access to the most loved destinations, it is time to use technology for the greater good and create an inclusive sector for the future.
Virtual reality has emerged not just as a technological solution but as a lifeline connecting individuals to the wonders of the globe.
Virtual Tourism’s Rising Steadily
The Global Virtual Tourism market, valued at $385.75 billion in 2022, is projected to skyrocket to over $847.95 billion by 2028, according to Market Data Forecast. This surge reflects a shift in how we explore the world, transcending physical limitations through digital portals. The allure of virtually experiencing places that we cannot reach has become too enticing to ignore. Whether its a virtual tour of Anne Franks house or an immersive museum experience using augmented reality, the metaverse is capturing the imaginations of tourism providers today.
Turning Virtual Travel into money making business models
Marketers recognize the potential of virtual travel not just as a gimmick but as a lucrative avenue to convert experiences into real bookings. Hotels, airlines like Emirates and Singapore Airlines, and even real estate firms are investing millions in metaverse experiences, offering loyalty points for virtual visits that translate into tangible benefits in the physical world.
Try before you Buy
One tangible example of this is the try before you buy model. Metaverse platforms using a mixture of virtual reality and gamification are offering creative ways to guide you through your tourist experience before you ever depart for your destination. This caters for travelers who may be constrained by immobility or budget issues and also offers a higher level of customer service for travelers who may want an extra layer of assurance prior to travelling to a foreign destination.
Gamified Experiences in the Metaverse
Web3 metaverse platforms like Decentraland, The Sandbox, Upland and Neoki are addressing a niche within a niche, catering for Web3 enthusiasts that are willing to pay for services without cryptocurrencies but also bringing gamified fun to brands and destinations looking to expand their offerings. The flow of digital assets from these metaverse platforms into real life scenarios will be a very interesting trend to watch in 2024.
Going Green means going virtual
Sustainable travel must include alternative travel like virtual and AR tours. In order to save our natural environments, travel needs to analyse its footprint and thread carefully when planning future attractions. With rising sea levels, wild fires and vulnerable landscapes, the responsible governments will be allocating funding to alternative tourism and planning for the hybrid future. Islands are beginning to request green pledges from tourist arrivals. This is set to become the norm as the increased pressure on our ecosystems is ever more in danger of collapse.
Deeper Immersion: Headsets and Hardware
For those seeking a more profound connection, a deeper dive into virtual tourism beckons. From Meta’s Oculus-driven experiences to immersive VR tours, the possibilities are limitless. VR headsets, 360-degree cameras, and AI prompts coalesce to create environments where users can self-explore, transcending the physical confines of reality.
The Augmented Alternative
Augmented Reality (AR) emerges as a practical alternative, seamlessly blending the digital with the physical. Platforms like OVER the reality are creating layers of creative content that users can engage with both on and off site. With just a mobile phone users can access additional layers of information about real-world locations, turning sightseeing into an interactive and educational experience.
Fantasy Real Estate and Digital Twins
The Metaverse, with its inherent lack of physical constraints, opens doors to fantasy travel where gravity is subjective. From Uplands virtual real estate to Roblox’s flight simulators, there is limitless creativity when it comes to expanding locations and experiences. Yes, I always wanted an apartment in Manhattan and now I can potentially afford one in a virtual world. Additionally, the concept of Digital Twins holds promise in seamlessly translating real-world complexities into virtual efficiency, streamlining processes like visa applications and transportation inquiries.
The Future of Travel is Hybrid
Yes, this is our motto and we do say it over and over again but we truly believe the future of the tourism sector is hybrid and we need to plan for this. Virtual tourism is now forcing us to reimagine our need for excess travel and allowing us to build a more inclusive, sustainable future for the industry. It is also enabling us to create feasibility studies with physically damaging the environment around us. Embracing both the physical and virtual future of travel will be beneficial for all.
