Virtual Voyages
The Age of Online Tourism
In an age of restricted travel, people are racking up online airmiles by embracing virtual tourism, says Greg Porter.
For good or ill, the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world. It’s hardly a secret that the leisure and tourism sector has taken the biggest hit of all industries impacted by the virus. As the world returns to something resembling normal – however we define that term – we can expect tourist trade to bolster the fortunes of scenic locales once more.
Not everybody will be content to travel again, though. Whether it’s a reluctance to pile into a plane and risk sharing oxygen with countless strangers, or a tightening of the belt in the aftermath of the pandemic, some travellers and families have abandoned plans to see the world – in person, at least.
In any crisis comes opportunity, and many tourist landmarks and hotspots have embraced the digital revolution. Virtual tourism – experiencing locations and events from the comfort of our own home through the twin marvels of high-speed internet and high-resolution cameras – is on the rise.
Of course, it will never be the same as experiencing something in the flesh. All the photos in the world cannot prepare us for the majesty of standing at the Grand Canyon, and while the Mona Lisa is much smaller than you may be expecting, it’s still more impressive than a postcard.
All the same, virtual tourism creates new opportunities for experiences that may be out of reach on geographical, financial, or logistical grounds. In a world of online home schooling, virtual tourism is also a chance for kids to see the world. While thrill seekers will remain dubious about the pleasures of virtual tourism, undertake some of these online adventures to assuage your cynicism.
Virtual Tours. Countless international museums and landmarks now offer virtual tours. These will be 360-degree pointand-click escapades, allowing you to explore the interiors of popular locations. You’ll find this opportunity in museums, such as The Louvre and the British Museum – and even in The Vatican
Geographic Marvels. Most of us have a travel bucket list, but it’s increasingly challenging to find the time and resources to visit every location. Virtual tourism provides the opportunity to take whistlestop tours of cities or to take in some of the natural wonders of the world
Safari and Underwater Investigation. If you dream of driving a Jeep through Africa or sinking to the depths of the Great Barrier Reef, virtual tourism will allow you to do so without encountering anything that outranks us on the food chain.
Now, a question remains. What is the best way to approach virtual tourism? As the name suggests, virtual reality opens new opportunities to embrace this tourism revolution. Banish outdated concepts of clunky red-andgreen headsets from your mind, though – VR has moved on drastically since its brief time in the sun during the 1990s.
In any crisis comes opportunity, and many tourist landmarks and hotspots have embraced the digital revolution.
Today, small and inoffensive headsets can be found online for as little as €10 – or you can even create your own, with guides existing all over the web. Virtual reality is also accessible through free smartphone or tablet apps in 2022, with no additional hardware necessary.
We’ll say it again, as a good point always merits repetition – virtual tourism is not the same as hopping on a plane and witnessing these landmarks with your own eyes. Alas, even the most ardent traveller will struggle to accommodate every destination in their plans. Making the journey online is an exciting alternative that merits serious consideration.