Do you know? When I first put on VR gear and walked through the virtual halls of Notre-Dame Cathedral, the impact left me speechless for a long time. Although I had visited the real Notre-Dame, after the 2019 fire, the interior of this Gothic architecture was closed to visitors. Through virtual tourism technology, I could not only revisit those beautiful stained glass windows and magnificent pillars but also see their original appearance before restoration.
This made me wonder: what changes will virtual tourism bring to us? As a travel blogger who has visited over 30 countries, I'd like to share my observations and thoughts with you.
What's the biggest barrier to traditional tourism? It's time, money, and more importantly, geographical limitations. Last year, I wanted to take my parents to see the aurora, but due to my father's knee problems, he couldn't handle the extreme cold and long journey of the polar region. Later, we tried a VR aurora experience, where we could gaze at the Arctic sky while lying comfortably at home through 360-degree panoramic video.
Seeing the amazement on my parents' faces, I suddenly realized the greatest value of virtual tourism: it makes travel more accessible. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, less than 20% of the global population has the opportunity for international travel. Virtual tourism is breaking down this limitation.
Many people worry that virtual tourism will make travel superficial. But from my experience, it's quite the opposite.
Last year, I planned a trip to Egypt. Before departing, I learned about the historical background of each relic in detail through AR technology. For example, when visiting the Karnak Temple, the AR application could show me how the temple looked in different historical periods, and even recreate scenes of ancient Egyptian priests performing ceremonies. This preparation helped me better understand every detail during the actual site visit.
Statistics show that tourists who use virtual tourism tools for preparation report 30% higher satisfaction during their actual travels. This is because they have clearer expectations of their destinations and can understand local culture more deeply.
As a blogger who frequently interacts with tourism industry professionals, I've witnessed the wave of innovation brought by virtual tourism.
For instance, a resort in the Maldives developed a VR experience platform. Before booking, guests can view every room detail in 360 degrees and even experience water activities like diving and surfing. This innovation increased their booking rate by 45% and reduced cancellations by 60%, as guests had accurate expectations before arrival.
Another example is a vineyard in Sicily. Through AR technology, they allow visitors to see the entire process from grape growing to wine making, and even view storage locations for different vintages. This immersive experience helped them quickly recover their visitor numbers post-pandemic and set new records.
However, virtual tourism does have its limitations. According to my survey, over 80% of virtual tourism users say they miss the taste and tactile experiences of real travel the most. For example, you can see Venice's gondolas through VR, but can't feel the salty sea breeze; you can view Kyoto's cherry blossoms in 360 degrees, but can't smell their fragrance.
This reminds me of an interesting statistic: 92% of people who have experienced virtual tourism say it actually increased their desire for physical travel. This suggests virtual tourism is more like an "appetizer" rather than the "main course."
As someone who has witnessed the digital transformation of the tourism industry, I believe virtual tourism is redefining how we travel.
According to market research firms, the global virtual tourism market will reach $100 billion by 2025. More importantly, it's changing our understanding of the concept of "travel."
Have you ever thought that future travel might be like this: previewing next week's Machu Picchu trip using AR glasses at the office on Monday, taking a virtual walk on Bali's beaches with friends through VR devices on Tuesday evening, and then physically setting foot in Peru on the weekend to trace the footsteps of Inca civilization?
If you're interested in virtual tourism, here are my suggestions:
Start with simple 360-degree panoramic videos. Many famous attractions offer such experiences. I highly recommend Google Earth VR, which includes panoramic images of over 2,000 famous sites.
If possible, purchase an entry-level VR device. Decent experiences are now available with devices costing 500-1000 yuan. Among the ones I've used, the Quest series offers the best value for money.
Make good use of AR applications to enrich physical travel. Many museums and attractions have developed AR guides that greatly enhance the visiting experience. For example, the Louvre's AR guide lets you see the story behind each artwork.
Last year at a tourism forum, I heard a perspective: the essence of travel is exploration and connection. While virtual tourism can't completely replace physical travel, it provides a new way of exploring and connecting.
It allows those who can't travel far due to physical, financial, or time constraints to experience the world's grandeur. It makes our travels more prepared and more profound. More importantly, it's reshaping how we interact with the world.
What do you think? Feel free to share your views and experiences with virtual tourism in the comments. If you've tried some virtual tourism products, please tell me which one you like best. Let's discuss this new trend that's changing the tourism industry.
If you want to learn more about virtual tourism, I suggest focusing on these aspects:
Virtual museum experiences. Currently, over 2,500 museums worldwide offer virtual tours. The British Museum and Vatican Museums have excellent virtual exhibitions.
Digital cultural heritage projects. The Digital Dunhuang project by the Dunhuang Academy is a great example. They've completed the digitization of nearly 300 caves, allowing us to appreciate these precious cultural heritage sites up close.
Virtual eco-tourism experiences. For ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, virtual tourism not only lets us appreciate their beauty but also helps us understand the importance of environmental protection.
I'll cover these topics in detail in future articles. If you're particularly interested in any specific aspect, feel free to let me know in the comments.
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