Over the past few years, there has been a steep rise in the popularity and implementation of smart tourism. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the smart tourism technologies and experiences to take advantage of.
Virtual Tours
When we travel, many of us like to tour around the local historical and cultural sights. That said, too much tourism at these sites can have an adverse effect on their conservation. In addition, they may not be accessible to some vacationers. With this in mind, some destinations have begun offering virtual experiences. This is something that we have seen for a long time in the entertainment industry. Just take something like online casino games. When players try their hand at the Adventures Beyond Wonderland live casino game they will experience a game hosted in real time by a real human, streamed to their and other players’ devices. This provides an interactive and authentic virtual casino experience.
In addition to the human host, this game also has themed avatars that interact with the host and the players throughout the game. This highlights the three options that smart tourists can pursue – virtual tours guided by a human, by an avatar, or a mix of both! There are, of course, benefits to every option. Human guides can answer questions quicker, and adapt to their audience more effectively. On the other hand, avatars can be crafted in the likeness of the historical figures audiences are learning more about, which can make the experience more immersive.
Smart Accommodation
Source: Pixabay
Choosing accommodation can feel like a chore, but you could take a look at the hotel in advance of your trip. That’s why some chains have begun introducing elements of virtual reality (VR) into their websites, something that the University of Michigan has reported as having a ground-breaking influence on the hospitality sector. Using this technology, potential consumers can explore a 360-degree view of different hotel rooms, allowing them to make an informed decision on where to stay.
But, the technological innovations don’t end after booking accommodation. Automated emails can be sent to visitors prior to arrival for virtual check-in. Using geo-sensing technology, when arriving at the accommodation, room information will become available. An app or online portal can then guide visitors to their room, and include a virtual room key, eliminating the risk of losing physical keys or key cards.
Augmented Reality (AR)
In addition to VR, AR is also making waves in smart tourism. Whilst VR creates a whole new virtual environment, AR integrates digital information into the user’s environment in real-time, according to Tech Target. There are many different ways that AR can be used in smart tourism.
Firstly, it could be used whilst exploring a city, and data drawn from live maps appear as pop up graphics indicating cafés, shops, museums, and galleries. Tourists can then tap on the things that stand out to them to find out more before deciding to head there. In addition, AR can be used to project recreations of historic buildings and archaeological sites. This helps visitors to visualise what they would have looked like in their heyday, bolstering the information they’ll learn through various signage.
Source: Pixabay
And there you have it – just a few technologies that can streamline the booking of your vacation, and enhance the things you can experience whilst you’re there (or, even from the comfort of your home). All that’s left to do is jet off, and explore
