Travelling and tourism has gone through a significant transformation in the last few decades. We owe this to technological advancements, globalization and changing traveller preferences. What used to be a luxury accessible for just a few is nowadays a real option for most of us.
But tourism is also offering increasingly personalized experiences. All these changes have redefined the concept of travelling, making it a vehicle for personal growth and continuous exploration of the world.
At vJourney and edataconsulting, we make use of technological advancements like virtual reality (VR) in order to add yet another type of experience to travelling, offering users immersive experiences which allow them to explore a variety of destinations across Europe from their homes. Apart from the comfort granted by the virtual environment, VR tourism opens up new possibilities: it makes travelling more accessible for people with reduced mobility, it allows us to explore destinations saving time and money, and it provides access to much more detailed information in the planning of future trips. Last but not least, it provides a sustainable alternative to traditional tourism by reducing its environmental impact.
The VR travel project implemented by vJourney and edataconsulting receives support from the University of Lübeck and builds on several studies which have detected a positive impact of VR travelling, especially in elderly people with early onset dementia, as it reinforces the feeling of participation, activates positive memories and stimulates the mind. Currently there are more studies in progress at different universities to provide further insight1. And while this kind of VR experience is highly beneficial in the mentioned cases, it is of course a perfect choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a pleasant virtual journey.
The vJourney platform offers a ready-to-use VR device rental service (Meta Quest 3) with a wide variety of virtual guided tours. Users can enjoy high-definition videos in 360º and audio in different languages (English and German for now), and with technical support and assistance included for a smooth trip. The platform is continuously being expanded to increase the offer of enriching experiences.
But let’s focus on the key aspect: user experience.
Imagine travelling to any European city from the comfort of your home and favorite armchair. All you need to do is put on the glasses and start enjoying this incredible experience.
Your trip begins with a selection of city visits to choose from. Large vertical posters display distinctive images of the available cities and their names. With a simple hand gesture, you can choose your preferred audio language and select a city. You will obtain a brief description, and after that you can undertake your visit to Amsterdam, Vienna, Paris or any other of the multiple cities currently available – or discover new ones after future updates.
Once the itinerary begins, you will see how simple and intuitive the experience really is. You don’t need remote controls; your hands are enough to interact with the buttons in front of you and obtain extra information about the highlighted elements while a pleasant voice tells you relevant facts & figures and anecdotes about the city’s history.
Click on the arrows on the sides of the screen to move around between different areas of the city as if you were right there. Or you may access the menu at the beginning to select the guided or passive mode and simply relax and enjoy the trip without the need to press buttons or interact in any way throughout the experience.
At the end of the itinerary, you can participate in different quizzes and interactive games with questions and challenges related to the city you have visited, exercising your memory and attention. Or you can go back to the main menu, select another city and visit more places across Europe from your home.
Are you ready for your first trip? Where will it take you?
Author: Ángel Hernández.
Translated by Katrin Meier.
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