VR Tourism: Can Virtual Travel Replace Real Journeys?

Technology is becoming increasingly advanced and is shaping every sphere of our lives, whether it is education, work, or fun. However, technology is not limited to these spheres alone and has also expanded its reach in the tourism sector. Thus, a new concept of virtual reality (VR) has emerged in recent times, allowing you to explore your desired destinations through virtual experiences. If you are not aware of the term before or its implications on the sector of tourism, you can refer to the following article, where each and every doubt of yours has been addressed in a very comprehensive and detailed way that helps you make a reasonable choice regarding VR in tourism.

What is Meant By Virtual Reality in Tourism?

Virtual Reality is a unique and interesting way to capture the essence of the tourism industry worldwide. With the help of VR, you can visit any destination in the world while sitting in your home comfortably. Here, you are provided with advanced technology, interactive images, and videos that help you explore the entire 360-degree view of your desired destination. Here, every nook and corner of the destination is examined and recorded, so that a person won't miss any details of the destination.

How Virtual Reality in Tourism Works?

With the evolution of technology, the scope of VR is also expanding in the tourism industry. Two significant tools are used in VR in tourism to make it work, including:

VR Tourism Videos

VR tourism videos are recorded using specialised cameras, known as omnidirectional cameras. With the help of these cameras, every single detail of the destination is captured simultaneously. Then, to produce a final tourism video for its users, the footage is compiled together in the studio, and a VR tourism video is produced. 

These VR tourism videos function similarly to regular videos and can be viewed on your standard device, including mobile phones, PCs, and laptops. You can access the video through social media or websites, where you are provided with the opportunity to explore the entire picture of your desired destination without having to visit the place directly.

VR Tourism Photography

The working of VR tourism photography is similar to that of VR tourism video, but with still images. Hence, you are allowed to scroll the view of the image and explore every angle of your destination. You can access these VR tourism photographs through your personal devices, including mobile phones, PCs, laptops, and more, to ensure that you visit your destination with full emotions, even though you are not physically present at the location.

What are the Advantages of Virtual Reality in Tourism?

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has helped us recognize the various advantages of VR in tourism, particularly when people are confined to their homes and are unable to leave. Some of the most significant benefits of VR in tourism can be explored as follows:

• You can conveniently visit any destination without leaving your comfort zone or feeling shy about meeting new people. 
• It helps you save time on travel, allowing you to explore your destination directly.
• VR tourism is more budget-friendly and doesn't require you to spend money on travel and destination costs.
• With VR tourism, you are practically able to explore more of the destination than you would during your real journey. For example, you can easily explore the view from the top of a mountain, which you may find difficult to climb otherwise.
• VR tourism is more eco-friendly as it eliminates the carbon emissions associated with travel.
• It can be used as a tool to stimulate genuine tourism and serve as a promoter for tourists to visit the destination.

What are the shortcomings of Virtual Reality in Tourism?

Though VR tourism has various benefits, there are some limitations of the tourism as well that become its shortcomings, which can be seen as follows:

• Tourists won't be able to get an honest and personal touch from the destination.
• In VR videos and photos, accuracy can be missing, as VR tourism often involves recorded videos or photos that may not accurately represent other times of the year or day.
• As VR tourism is based on technology, any technological issues can impact the quality of the experience provided.
• You won't be able to have a personal experience and connect with people from diverse cultures.
• VR tourism is unlikely to contribute significantly to the growth of the tourism sector or the state's economy.

How is Virtual Reality Shaping the Tourism Sector?

There are various aspects in which VR hits the tourism sector; some of the significant ones can be seen as follows:

• VR helps users take a virtual tour of the destination, which may help them decide which destinations they actually want to visit and which ones they don't.
• The VR destinations can be seen engagingly and uniquely, which may attract people by building excitement and a sense of familiarity with the destination. 
• Some of the lesser-known destinations can be explored by different tourists with the help of VR, making them more popular than usual.
• A new type of experience is emerging that would not be possible for others to fulfil. For example, VR provides a realistic experience for activities such as skydiving, watching a hunt of wild animals, or more, without risking their lives. 

Conclusion: What To Choose: Virtual Reality in Tourism or a Real Journey?

The article mentioned above helps you explore various aspects of VR in tourism, including its working, applications, benefits, and shortcomings. So, when it comes to choosing between virtual tourism and a real journey, it ultimately depends on you. Both types of tourism have their own pros and cons. You can compare each aspect of VR tourism to find which type is best for you. Where one is beneficial for you if you love adventure and a practical connection with the place, the other helps you to get informed about the destination fully, whether you are unable to explore the destination personally or don't want to leave your comfort zone. Hence, you can make your tourism more exciting and amazing by choosing the right type of tourism for you.