And if you’ve ever read a mindfulness book, listened to a self-help podcast, or watched a motivational life speech, I’ll bet that some of the words of wisdom was to abandon your devices and go outside. Touch some grass. Take a trip!
It’s good life advice: nourish your soul by switching off your phone and reconnecting with your surroundings for a while, whether it be walking around your local park or jetting off to another continent.
Hence why the term ‘virtual tourism’ can feel deflating. When I first heard it, I sighed— the ability to explore places without being physically present, such as through virtual reality (VR) or 360 degree images. It felt like the one thing that the internet had no way of replicating, tourism, had been monopolised. However, as a concept, virtual tourism could be revolutionary in changing our worldview.
Here’s some reasons why.
1. Access to cultural and historical sites
Anybody with an internet access could have the opportunity to visit culturally and historically rich sites, whether you want to gaze at the Sistine Chapel or walk the Great Wall of China. A democratised space travel hub available to everyone, whether it be the voices of underrepresented communities across the globe or individuals facing physical or economical barriers, would allow for the engagement of an endless audience, and promote human heritage.
"...in an effort to widen travel accessibility and broaden our understanding of the world, virtual tourism could become the road more travelled."
2. Broadening of education
Immersive learning, whether it be for preschool-age children or people crafting their thesis, is the key to enhancing any subject. Whether it be visiting the site of the Battle of Hastings or joining a virtual tour of The Louvre, interactive and immersive learning experiences would allow for students and individuals to digest various topics in a way that exceeds typical classroom environments, in both a rememberable and inclusive way. And not just for the wonders of the world, but for the lesser known communities too— a visualisation and comprehension of physical settings deepens understanding by tenfold.
3. The conservation of sites and the environment
While technology and internet usage does has a significant blow to carbon footprint contribution, having immediate access to global landmarks and heritage sites would reduce air traffic and in turn, reduce carbon emissions and establish an eco-friendly alternative to tourism. And as well as air traffic, lessening foot traffic in natural and cultural sites would reduce physical degradation and preserve wildlife ecosystems and habitats, supporting sustainable tourism practices.
Listen, virtual tourism is a tricky concept— you will never be able to replicate the experiences, stories, and personal development that you achieve through physically travelling through virtual tourism. But in an effort to widen travel accessibility and broaden our understanding of the world, virtual tourism could become the road more travelled.
