Virtual Reality in the Travel Industry

The biggest industry in the world, the tourism and travel industry has recently started to adopt virtual reality technology to increase customer engagements and improve customer-centric marketing methods. Virtual reality provides customers with guided tours of what they can expect which helps them make the final decision as they observe what each destination has to offer.

Virtual Tours of Hotels

Travel firms have started using technology to provide virtual tours of hotels and hotel rooms. This enables potential customers to have an experience of the hotel before they arrive. 360-degree views are provided through VR which will help see every inch of the property before finalizing their booking.

For example, if the virtual tours can provide enhanced viewing of the hotel with high-quality images and smooth interface it may entice a customer to book a room where otherwise they may have moved on when just looking at flat images.

VR can also provide a benefit for those who may be planning destination weddings. They may not be able to see the hotel ahead of time. Using virtual reality can help get a better sense of the venue and allow them to determine if it’s a good match for their big day. This saves time and money, it can also give the hotel a better shot at landing a large group booking.

Some hotels that already provide a virtual tour include the Waldorf Astoria in New York, The Hampton by Hilton in London and the Westin Los Cabos in Mexico.

Virtual Travel Experience

VR travel industry has made it accessible for every individual to travel with the help of simulators. Tourists are able to explore all the destinations before actually booking their journey. It is also a solution to standard images and videos which turned out to be disappointing for tourists. In addition, people who are unable to travel can now enjoy the same experience in a protected environment.

VR travel can also provide a benefit to those who may have mobility issues such as the elderly and disabled. They can experience destinations that would be physically impossible for them to visit. For example, Torrance, California based TrinityKids Care is using virtual reality to provide experiences for terminally ill children who are unable to travel. It’s letting them do things like fly to space, swim with whales and hike the world’s tallest mountains.

Some places you can already experience by way of virtual reality include the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, and Paris’ Moulin Rouge.

Virtual Booking Interface

Some companies have taken VR technology to another level by offering a whole booking process with a user interface that can be experienced through a VR headset. This replaces the need for traditional computer features to make a hotel or flight booking which leads to a much more seamless and effortless booking experience. The interactive technology allows the client to explore several rooms and facilities in a hotel, differentiate between types of rooms, discover local sights and find out information simultaneously before booking.

VR booking also helps hotels and venues save time by cutting down on wasted viewings. Instead of showing off rooms, employees can focus on providing a better experience for customers.

Meeting Modern Customer Needs

Lastly, virtual reality technology can help meet the needs of modern customers who are living in a world surrounded with technology. Thus, they demand convenience and an easy experience. In addition, they are not reluctant to paying more. Virtual reality helps to meet the increasing expectations of customers. Moreover, 73% of Gen-Z Internet users have an interest in using VR which shows why such technology will be suitable and beneficial for the travel industry.

There are endless possibilities for VR technology in the travel industry and they are likely to have a major impact on the travel industry. Therefore, it will be beneficial for companies in the travel industry to incorporate VR technology to stay ahead of the competition.

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