How the metaverse could revolutionize the travel industry
The metaverse is flourishing, but the technology is still in the early phases of being adopted in mainstream society. Very few people understand it fully; the majority have heard of it but are not sure what it is or how it works, and others are unaware of it altogether.
But it is worth considering at this early stage how it might impact our lives in the future, especially when it comes to travel.
Metaverse is here to stay With so much already invested in the metaverse and some big tech names involved, it seems likely that we will hear more and more of this new technology. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of the metaverse, it is basically a virtual reality environment scaled up to a fully immersive level.
Think of it as a version of the internet that you can enter through a virtual reality headset. As more online websites embrace this technology, more virtual spaces will be created and linked together.
Most people associate virtual reality and the metaverse with gaming. This is because game developers have been among the first to debate and explore the possibilities in their sector. Gaming is all about entering different worlds with different themes to create an experience; this is true of games from consoles to slot games such as those featured on the recent New Jersey casino launch PlayStar. All use different worlds, eras, and cultures to appeal to a broad range of players. By tapping into our thirst for immersive experiences, the travel industry could also benefit from integrating the metaverse into its sector.
Enhanced travel experience Imagine a travel agent who could give you a guided tour of potential hotel choices. You could explore individual rooms and check out the facilities and views. They could also give you a realistic 3D tour of activities and excursions. You could take a five-minute stroll around Manhattan or get a glimpse inside the Alhambra Palace in Spain.
Some travel agents have reported an increase in bookings after offering VR tasters of holiday excursions. You could get a real feel for what type of holiday would suit you and enjoy a bespoke experience based on your VR choices. The agent could even give you a virtual guide through the airport check-in and security system, so you know exactly where to go before your travel.
As well as using virtual reality, travel companies can also use augmented reality (AR) to enhance the travel experience, tapping into the metaverse. For example, visitors could look at a map on their hotel room wall using a tablet or smartphone camera app and get further information about local sites, museums, and restaurants. This could be extended to entire cities such as Florence, where pointing your tablet at a building could reveal information about it and show you pictures of what to expect inside. It could help you find restaurants that suit you and help you plan your day with seat availability.
This is just a glimpse of what is possible as the travel industry embraces the metaverse. In truth, we have barely scratched the surface and the future possibilities are endless.
