One thing that has kept the world going is humanities' ability to explore the way we live and connect continually. Centuries ago, animals were the major means of transportation until the introduction of locomotive vehicles and the airplane.
Coronavirus, for instance, brought a lot of changes to how the world runs. Many parts of the world were on total lockdown for several weeks, and businesses suffer. Countries' economies were also down the slope even as governments had to send relief materials to their citizens while at home.
During and even now, when things are getting back in shape, many tourism industries are bringing up new ways to promote tourist attractions, especially online. One effective way that the industry has been helping tourists explore the world and travel abroad from their homes is through virtual reality (VR) technology and 360-degree videography.
We will discuss some of the best virtual travel tours and online travel experiences available now for your enjoyment.
Virtual reality national parks
One significant means that national parks and IT companies are redefining the tourism industry is live-streaming wildlife footage. For instance, the national game reserve in South Africa is live streaming footage of its game reserves to its viewers right from their homes this period.
With andBeyond, they are even taking a step further to organize private zoom sessions where viewers can ask the guides questions bothering them or what they are seeing. These guides will share their experience of the reserves and also share recordings to aid their explanation.
There are fees attached to this. Part of the booking fees is donated to various foundations that the national park and game reserve partners with.
The great thing is, this is happening all over the world. If there is a game reserve you want to explore, you only need to check out if they offer virtual reality experiences this period. In the US, national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Everglades, offer 360-degree videos via google earth.
For lovers of flowers, the Arundel Castle has produced a video of the tulip festival, and you can see up to 80,000 flowers from this year's collection, all while at home.
Virtual reality scuba diving tours
If national parks and the game reserve are not something you fancy or want a change, the virtual reality scuba diving tours could be. Scuba diving is an exceptional experience, and thankfully, the National Geographic has worked on something you will appreciate.
They have 360-degree videos of dive sites and nature spots. When you pare this with an Oculus Quest VR headset, you will be opened to another world where you can swim with Humpback Whales in Antarctica. You can also explore the coral reefs in Indonesia if you want.
The National Marine Sanctuaries website could be a gold mine for you if you fancy the deep sea. On the website, you will be shown life below the surface using 360-degree photos and videos. Do you want to know what it feels like to swim with sea lions? Here is your chance.
Virtual reality sightseeing tours
Yes, you can't travel to that country or city with a rich cultural presence yet, but you can enjoy the view through virtual reality while in your bed. Several tourist boards have taken the game to a higher level by creating interactive tours of the entire country and worthy cities. This means you won't miss a thing from the country's famous and cultural spots.
For instance, you can now get many of Paris cultural spots online through the virtual tours of Montmartre's Sacré-Cœur Basilica. You can also enjoy private tours to famous museums, including the Louvre museum. If you think this is limited to France or Paris, then you will be mistaken. Cities in London and Washington D.C. are offering similar services.
Here is the kicker, with Switzerland's virtual experience, you can take five alpine passes, 22 lakes, and 12 UNESCO sites without stepping a foot outside your home. You will enjoy the view from the peaks of St Moritz, the shore of Lake Lugano, and Zurich's cathedrals.
If you have heard about Austria's Ice Caves of Werfen and Mozart's residence, it will interest you to know that they are also available through 360-degree videos. Virtual boat tours along the Danube River are also possible.
How about a virtual train ride through Lisbon? Visit Portugal makes this possible, too, and visits some of the country's culturally rich museums. And there's so much more you can sightsee virtual these days – Nepal's Khumbu mountains, horse ride along with Streedagh Beach, canals of Venice, and so much more.
Luxury Hotel experience at home
Several luxury hotels are joining forces with other organizations to bring several services to their audience this period. Some hotels share their chef's recipe, taking mixology masterclasses, live streaming yoga, and many others.
For example, inside the Jamaica Inn hotel in Ocho Rios, you can access virtual classes of cooking, yoga, 360-degree tours, and live music. Wellness classes are also being taken in Mexico from the two Chablé Hotels.
Virtual museum tours
Again, technology has come to the rescue, especially if you miss out on the theatre and museums' cultural delights. Way back in 2018, The British Museum launched its Hold the World VR experience partnering with Sir David Attenborough to create a wonderful experience. Together with the Sky TV app, a VR headset is all that is needed to witness all the museum's collection, and you can also have a private lesson with Attenborough himself.
Today, there are more possibilities. Thanks to Google Art, you can experience almost all the top museums in the world from your home, like Vatican City's Sistine Chapel, Athens's Acropolis Museum, and many others.
As you would expect, other museums now have more personalized tours available on their websites. Museums like Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art are museums with this feature.
Online theatre performances
More cultural experiences are now opening up to include live-streamed theatre performances. You can watch Shakespearean original plays on London's Globe theatre website. The Royal Opera House also offers a similar service.
Disney is also offering a subscription service for shows like the Broadway Home, and others like Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals can be seen watched on YouTube.
Conclusion
Indeed, VR technology cannot be compared with real-life experience; it still helps explore the world and brings us closer to some of the world's wonders. It will also help travelers plan their next visit with an idea of what to expect.
