VR For Tourism

What is Virtual Reality in Travel?

Virtual reality refers to interactive images or videos that allow the viewer to explore an entire scene in 360 degrees. Unlike a regular video frame, which is shot from a fixed point of view, VR production captures every part of a location.

In the travel industry, virtual reality can be used to capture tourist destinations in a unique and immersive way.

This is achieved using specialized cameras, platforms and software. The finished content can then be viewed on a VR headset or regular computer or mobile device.

Many people assume that VR content can only be viewed on a specialized VR headset, but that is not the case. Although virtual reality is more immersive when viewed in this way, it can also be viewed on any device, including mobiles.

Take a look at the tourism virtual reality content below, produced by us at Immersion VR. You can click or drag on the video to view a full 360 degrees.

VR tourism video produced by Immersion VR

VR in tourism marketing

The most common way to use virtual reality in the tourism industry is in marketing. Being able to capture tourist destinations in such a memorable and immersive way is a powerful marketing tool.

One of the greatest strengths of virtual reality is to allow the user to experience the feeling of "being there". While classic images and videos can work well to show off what a destination has to offer, they often don't elicit an emotional response.

Virtual reality in tourism has the ability to place the user in the center of the scene and allows them to more easily imagine themselves on the spot.

Tourism in virtual reality 360

When many people think of virtual reality, they think of it as CGI (computer generated imagery), which is how it is used in the gaming industry. However, there is another form of virtual reality known as of 360 VR, or 360VR video.

360 VR focuses on the real world rather than computer-generated images. This makes it perfect for the tourism industry where it is important to show users a real location rather than a model or simulation.

VR Immersion Capturing VR Tourism Content

360VR content in tourism is captured the same way as regular image and video content. A 360 VR company, like us at Immersion VR, arrives on the scene with specialized equipment in order to film the scene. The footage is then brought back to the studio where it is produced into VR content using specialized software.

This form of VR is the most used form of VR in tourism and is something we specialize in here at Immersion VR. 360° virtual reality is also commonly used in education, the real estate industry and online marketing in general.

Virtual reality technology in tourism

Virtual reality can be used in different ways in the tourism industry. Technology is changing at a rapid pace and the uses of virtual reality in tourism are growing alongside the technology.

The main virtual reality technologies used in the travel industry are virtual reality video and photography.

VR Tourism Videos

A VR tourism video works like a normal video. They can be viewed on social media or websites, but unlike a regular video, the user can explore the entire scene while the video is playing.

Virtual reality touring videos are captured using specialized cameras called omnidirectional cameras. . These cameras film all angles of the destination at once. After filming, the footage is taken back to the studio where it is stitched together to produce a VR tourism video.

There are 2 types of VR tourism videos:

– Monoscopic VR Touring Video

– Stereoscopic VR touring video

Monoscopic VR videos for tourism can be viewed on ordinary devices, including mobile phones and computers. The viewer can click or drag across the screen to rotate the field of view, as if turning your head to explore a scene.

Watch the VR touring video below for an example monoscopic footage. The video can be viewed on any device, including mobiles and desktops. Scroll or swipe the video to explore the whole surroundings.

Monoscopic VR touring video produced by Immersion VR

Stereoscopic VR videos for tourism are produced for VR headsets and cannot be viewed on a regular device. Although they take longer to produce and are generally more expensive, they provide a more immersive travel experience. These videos feature head tracking so that the user can move their head to explore the surroundings realistically.

For more information on monoscopic and stereoscopic VR content, see our in-depth article

here

.

VR tourism photography

VR tourism photography involves the production of 360 images of travel destinations. These images are usually designed for viewing on mainstream devices such as mobiles and desktops.

Virtual tourism photography works much like virtual reality tourism video, but with still images. The view is free to scroll or drag across the image in order to see the whole scene.

Take a look at a sample of some of the 360 ​​tourist images taken below.

The images are taken with state-of-the-art DSLR cameras on specialized rigs that allow for 360 degree capture. Since DSLR cameras are used, this allows for higher resolution images compared to VR touring videos.

The 360 ​​images can then be uploaded to social media and websites for the user to view as easily as regular images. Although these images are generally not as immersive as VR videos, they are faster to produce and generally more cost effective.

Using 360 photography, it is also possible to produce hotel tours that allow the user to explore a hotel and its surroundings in an immersive and interactive way.

Applications of virtual reality in tourism

Virtual reality applications in tourism include:

–Virtual Reality Travel Experiences

–Virtual reality tourism content for social networks/websites

–Virtual hotel tours

Virtual reality travel experiences

Virtual reality travel experiences generally refer to VR tourism videos made for VR headsets. These virtual travel experiences aim to create a feeling that resembles the real destination as much as possible.

At the forefront of 360 virtual reality, virtual reality travel experiences offer something truly unique and memorable to the user. The number of travel agencies and travel agencies adopting this technology continues to grow and they promise a bright future within the industry.

VR headsets in the travel industry

VR headsets generally provide the best realistic virtual reality travel experience for the user. A VR headset uses specialized software that tracks the movement of the user's head. This allows the user to explore the travel destination as they would in real life.

Currently, the number of people who own a VR headset is increasing at a rapid rate. Much of this growth in headsets can be attributed to the gaming market, where technology is pushed to the limit.

Additionally, all major online platforms, including Google, Facebook, and Amazon, are all investing heavily in virtual reality headsets and VR content, promising a bright future for this space.

VR created for headsets is more expensive to produce because it requires the production of stereoscopic content and spatial audio. However, for travel agencies looking to be on the cutting edge of technology, the cost may be worth it to set themselves apart and provide an unparalleled experience for their customers.

Virtual reality for travel agencies

One of the most common uses of VR headsets in tourism is by travel agencies themselves. They can offer potential customers virtual in-store travel experiences that completely transform what it's like to visit a travel agency.

Instead of showing visitors brochures and computer screens, travel agents can offer their customers a virtual experience. This approach can also be put to good use at trade shows and events, quickly attracting the interest of the general public.

Using virtual reality makes travel brands stand out from the crowd and gives the user an experience they won't forget. Many travel agencies have embraced virtual reality technology and used it to improve their sales and increase brand awareness.

Virtual Hotel Tours

Virtual hotel tours allow users to explore a hotel and its grounds in a much more immersive way than ever before. Just how much virtual tours are transforming the real estate industry, they also have a huge impact on the hospitality industry.

Hotel interiors and exteriors can be captured in great detail using high-resolution cameras and specialized equipment. The images are then merged (

sewn

) to form a complete 360-degree interactive tour where the user can choose which room to explore.

VR Hotel tours are typically monoscopic, meaning they can be viewed on any device, including mobile and desktop. The tours can then be uploaded to websites and social networks for potential customers to view at any time.

They can also be stereoscopic if the situation and the budget allow it. This can result in a more realistic and immersive experience.

Unlike typical hotel images, these tours allow users to imagine themselves in space. This type of immersion helps create a unique engagement with the brand and a lasting impression with the user.

To learn more about virtual tours, please see our in-depth article

here.

.

VR tours

In addition to hotels, VR tours can also be created for a wide range of travel destinations and landmarks. VR tours of popular tourist destinations can be produced to give the user a taste of what it is like to be there.

Benefits of virtual reality in tourism

The benefits of virtual reality in tourism include:

–Allow the user to imagine themselves at a travel destination

–Be able to present 360 degrees of a destination in high resolution

–Enable the user to explore a scene at will

–Create memorable and unique user experiences

–Create a unique brand engagement

–Allow travel agencies to stand out of the crowd

–Provide travel experiences to those who cannot travel

–Reduce the impact of tourism on vulnerable destinations

Virtual reality tourism statistics

Statistics

(see below), nearly 50% of people would use VR as a tool to choose their vacation destination (provided it was free). 13% of respondents were actually willing to pay for virtual reality.

Tourism Virtual Reality Statistics -

Source

Also, research done by

Tourism Australia

found that nearly 20% of consumers had used VR to select a vacation destination. About 25% of consumers said they plan to use VR in the future to help them choose a vacation destination.

Overall, the Tourism Australia study found that VR has the ability to bring a destination to life and inspire consumers to consider traveling to places they otherwise would not have considered. In particular, consumers were more interested in virtual reality content related to nature, wildlife, waters and coastal offerings. –

http://www.tourism.australia.com/content/dam/assets/document/1/6/y/7/t/2003897.pdf

The future of RV travel

At Immersion VR, we don't see VR tourism going anywhere. On the contrary, we have seen an increase in the use of virtual reality for travel. We cannot predict how this space will develop or what new VR travel technologies will be developed. However, we can spot emerging trends within the industry.

Virtual Reality Travel Trends

Common trends in VR travel include:

–Virtual reality travel experiences by travel agencies

–Virtual hotel tours by travel agencies and hotels

–Technologies to make virtual reality travel more realistic

–Virtual reality travel experiences for seniors

– Virtual experiences of iconic destinations

– Virtual booking interface

We're sure this list will grow in the near future so watch this space!

Virtual experiences of iconic destinations

Popular iconic destinations often suffer from the environmental problems associated with too many tourist visitors. By creating VR experiences of these landmarks, the number of users can be controlled, reducing environmental impact.

Watch a Grand Canyon VR travel experience below. Remember to drag or scroll the video to explore the scene.

Grand Canyon Virtual Travel Experience - video by

360 Labs

With the number of VR headsets increasing, these kinds of experiences are sure to become a common feature in many homes around the world.

VR Flight Experiences

Passengers board a replica airplane cabin while they receive the pre-flight safety demonstration and are then served gourmet cuisine. The goal is to provide them with a realistic experience of flying to a destination.

VR flight experiences are a relatively new addition to the VR travel space. A Tokyo-based company called First Airlines has created the world's first virtual reality airline.

Virtual travel experience provided by First Airlines–

Source

On “arrival” passengers then enjoy a virtual tour of the destination with VR headsets. Although still in its infancy, this type of experience has the potential to provide people with travel experiences they otherwise could not afford.

Virtual booking interface

A virtual booking interface is another very recent development within VR tourism. Users can book their vacation while wearing a VR headset. The entire booking process takes place in virtual reality.

Everything from choosing a hotel to paying for a vacation happens while the user experiences virtual reality. Although this has limited applications, we can see travel agencies and businesses taking this approach to increase conversions.

State-of-the-art virtual booking interface produced by

Amadeus

Virtual reality travel for seniors

One of the areas where VR can replace travel is for those who cannot travel, especially seniors. When people think of virtual reality, they don't tend to think of old people. But being able to provide them with travel experiences that wouldn't otherwise be possible can be hugely rewarding.

Seniors experiencing virtual travel with help from Maplewood Senior Living - video by

Mashable< /p>

In a blog post written by The Big Issue, they explain how a company called Viarama worked on a virtual reality tool to help people with Alzheimer's and dementia. They have worked to provide seniors receiving end-of-life care with a unique experience.

Billy Agnew, CEO of Viarama, said:

“In a palliative care situation, we go out there and let people 'travel' the world. We let people go to places where they got married, or where they did their national service, and to places they never thought they could see. »

–

https://www.bigissue.com/latest/technology/how-virtual-reality-is-giving-the-elderly-remarkable-end-of-life-adventures/

Viarama achieves this using HTC Vive headsets, Google Earth VR software and powerful computers. But while the experience is virtual, the emotions it arouses are very real.

Billy Agnew added:

“It's quite often extremely moving. The first time we worked in a hospice, we had two doctors who were there to assess what we were doing, and both doctors broke down because it was so emotional. »

–

https://www.bigissue.com/latest/technology/how-virtual-reality-is-giving-the-elderly-remarkable-end-of-life-adventures/

Will virtual reality replace travel?

Virtual reality is great for creating immersive moments, but it still cannot replace the full immersion of being in a real space 24/7.

In fact, in a recent study by European tour company Italy4Real, 81% of adults said virtual reality cannot replace travel. 92% said visiting a destination in VR was not the same as visiting it in real life. Additionally, 77% cited sampling local food as important to them. –

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/302947/virtual-reality-not-seen-as-substitute-for-travel.html

Other drawbacks of virtual reality include smells and the general atmosphere created by people and animals. While VR technology is advancing at a rapid pace, it's pretty safe to say that virtual reality isn't going to replace travel anytime soon.

77% of people cited local food as important

Virtual reality in tourism is currently best used for marketing travel destinations and hotels. With the growth of virtual reality, we believe that virtual travel experiences will become an important part of the tourism industry in the near future.

Virtual reality travel experts

At Immersion VR we have a wealth of VR experience traveling with clients across the UK and overseas. We have filmed on location in countries like Oman, Scotland, Spain, Indonesia and Mexico.

We can cater for any type of VR tourism you need, from virtual reality travel experiences to VR hotel tours.

VR Immersion capturing VR travel content on location in Oman

We take great pride in the quality of our work and are unlike any RV travel company. With skills in many areas of virtual reality, we can advise and inform our customers at every stage.

Our highly qualified team and our attention to detail place us among the best experts in virtual reality travel.

For more information about virtual reality for travel and the services we offer, please contact us today.