Global XR Bootcamp 2020 - Redefining Tourism With Virtual Reality
My virtual presentation at the Global XR Bootcamp 2020, sharing insights into how virtual reality and immersive technologies are currently transforming the tourism and travel industry across the world.
Session Virtual Reality (VR) Technology Explained Virtual reality in travel & tourism VR in tourism marketing 1 3 2 4 VR Applications in the tourism industry 5 6 Benefits of virtual reality in tourism
is an immersive tech entrepreneur, digital strategist, 360VR content developer, virtual tourism enthusiast He is the co-founder of Experis Immersive - a virtual reality content development company creating immersive, innovative, and interactive virtual reality solutions in Africa.
the use of a VR headset, which helps to immerse a user in a digital environment. Through the use of images, sounds and other physical sensations, the user is essentially placed within a virtual world, which they can move around and, in some cases, interact with in other ways. Virtual Reality (VR) Technology Explained
In the travel industry, virtual reality can be used to capture tourism destinations in a unique and immersive way. This is achieved using specialist cameras, rigs, and software. The finished content caMany people assume that VR content can only be viewed on a specialist VR headset but this is not the case. Although VR is more immersive when viewed in this way, it can also be viewed on any device, including mobiles.
history, it has come to the forefront of mainstream consumer technology in recent times, thanks to high-powered VR headsets produced by the likes of Oculus, HTC, Microsoft, as well as lower-cost options from the likes of Google VR cardboards. The uses include gaming, watching interactive videos, viewing 360 degree images and more. Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality
2019, with the latest data from the World Tourism Organization showing the severe impact COVID-19 has had on the sector. Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality UNWTO REPORTS
travel industry has been especially quick to adopt virtual reality technology and for good reason. Typically, their customers are looking to purchase experiences, rather than products, and virtual reality offers an effective way for marketers to give them a taste of what they can expect. Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality
lots of information before they book. This may, for instance, require them to read descriptions, view images, look at videos, read customer reviews or seek opinions on social media. Through intelligent use of virtual reality, however, this process can be shortened significantly. Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality
elements on their websites or apps, allowing users to experience a digital version of a hotel room, or even take a look at one of the nearby attractions. This immersion enables those in the travel industry to provide a kind of ‘try before you buy’ option for the first time. Virtual reality in travel & tourism Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality
the tourism industry is for marketing. Being able to capture tourism destinations in such a memorable and immersive way is a powerful marketing tool. One of the greatest strengths of VR is allowing the user to experience the feeling of “being there”. Whilst regular images and videos can work well for showing what a destination has to offer, they don’t often elicit an emotional response. VR in tourism marketing Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality
who have experienced virtual tours were 67% more likely to book a room online. Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality As Greenlight 2016 VR study claims, respondents feel connected to a brand that uses VR content. 53% of consumers are more likely to purchase from such a brand.
further, offering an entire booking process and user interface that can be experienced through a virtual reality headset. Effectively, this replaces the need to use a traditional computer mouse, or touch screen, in order to make a hotel or flight booking. VR Applications in the Tourism industry Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality Virtual Booking Interface
and is always changing and evolving. Heritage, on the other hand, remains perpetually frozen in time, molded or engraved in material culture as a testament to the past. Virtual reality technology has provided a medium where this heritage sites can be digitized in 3D or 360VR which are to the detail and can be preserved for future generations to experience with ease. Reimagining Tourism Through Virtual Reality Virtual Heritage Experiences
1 3 4 Benefits of virtual reality in tourism 2 3 Being able to showcase 360 degrees of a destination in high resolution Enabling the user to explore a scene at their own will
4 Benefits of virtual reality in tourism 5 6 Providing travel experiences to those that cannot travel. Allowing travel companies to stand out from the crowd.