Wildlife Resort launches first virtual tourism platform
WINDHOEK — Namibia's Wildlife Resorts (NWR) yesterday launched its first virtual-tourism platform that will allow viewers an immersive experience of the variety of tourist features Namibia has to offer.
NWR managing director Matthias Ngwangwama said that it was time to do anything possible to contribute to the quick recovery and resuscitation of the Namibian tourism industry.
“It is for this reason that we would like to launch this new service or technology, the live webcam, also known as virtual tourism, at Okaukuejo Resort in the Etosha National Park. Virtual tourism presents viewers with an immersive experience of an activity, location, or destination through the use of technology,” he said during the launch in Windhoek.
He said there are many types of virtual tourism offerings around the world, which usually combine virtual reality, still images, video, audio, narration, interactivity, and other multimedia formats to provide an experience of a destination that a user cannot get through pictures or websites alone.
“Ours is a video. For the best viewing experience, viewers can access our virtual tourism content using virtual reality headsets... but they can also usually view the content on a normal computer or even a mobile device.
“Because viewers can experience activities, locations and destinations, and in this case the Okaukuejo Waterhole in the Etosha National Park, this product or service will allow us to bring nature into people's living rooms, from the comfort of their own homes or offices,” he said.
One of the benefits of virtual tourism is that it allows the viewer to experience a destination without travelling to it, effectively eliminating the limitations posed by flight availability, travel logistics, safety concerns and whether destinations are open, as well as cost.