--- description: In this article, we look at the role of VR in tourism, its benefits and the challenges businesses might face with VR technology. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress title: VR in tourism: What you need to know about virtual travel --- # VR in tourism: What you need to know about virtual travel Canonical: https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog/2412/vr-in-tourism-what-you-need-to-know Published on 21/01/2022 | Written by Sukanya Awasthi. ![VR in tourism: What you need to know about virtual travel](https://images.ctfassets.net/63bmaubptoky/nTYCI1KFQtNcu9X-fPFWKRHmjMB4it95WeyAQ3IcEmo/a7527cc24a91bbbabf4e79d0e88893c2/VR-in-tourism_CA_UK_Header.png) > In 2020 —when COVID-19 hit the world— it brought along a global ban on travel. All domestic and international travel plans came to a halt. This affected not just travellers, but also the travel and tourism industry. According to a World Travel \& Tourism Council report, the travel \& tourism sector witnessed losses of roughly US$4.5 trillion due to restrictions imposed during the pandemic on international movement. The report also states that 62 million jobs were lost in 2020 —which primarily affected small to midsize enterprises (SMEs)— which make up 80% of all global businesses in the sector. ----- ## Article Content In 2020 —when COVID-19 hit the world— it brought along a global ban on travel. All domestic and international travel plans came to a halt. This affected not just travellers, but also the travel and tourism industry. According to a World Travel \& Tourism Council report, the travel \& tourism sector witnessed losses of roughly US$4.5 trillion due to restrictions imposed during the pandemic on international movement. The report also states that 62 million jobs were lost in 2020 —which primarily affected small to midsize enterprises (SMEs)— which make up 80% of all global businesses in the sector.In such a scenario, it might have become crucial for travel companies and agents to look for alternatives in terms of technology that have the potential to offer some solutions. One such technology which could offer an opportunity for the tourism industry is virtual reality (VR) software. What is virtual reality?Virtual reality is defined as “a technology that uses computer graphics and 360-degree videos to create a simulated reality. Businesses who employ VR have discovered new ways to engage their employees, potential leads, and existing customers.”This article will explore VR technology and its role in tourism, the benefits of using VR, and the challenges that businesses might face with its adoption  The role of VR technology in the tourism industry According to a UN report, tourist arrivals worldwide were down by 87% in January 2021 when compared to January 2020. The report also states that one out of every three tourist spots internationally was closed to visitors. In such a scenario, travel-related business owners might be looking at technology to solve this problem and sustain their businesses. An article by the World Economic Forum states that remote or virtual tourism has been a topic of conversation within the tourism industry, and the world today might be ready to accept and adopt VR technology. The article also goes on to mention that technology like augmented, virtual or mixed reality (AR, VR or MR) can provide potentially consistent and steady interactive experiences to travellers sitting in their own homes.Benefits of using VR technology in the travel industryAccording to an article by The Evening Standard, searches for ‘virtual reality goggles’ increased by 180% in 2021 compared to the preceding year. This data clearly indicates that more and more people are showing interest in experiencing the world through VR headsets. In this section, we will look at some of the benefits VR technology might have to offer to netizens.360-degree VR experience360-degree VR headsets can potentially provide a realistic travel experience by capturing 360-degree views of a specified place, allowing users to feel completely immersed in a virtual world. The headset and controllers track the arm, leg, and head motions in real-time, allowing viewers to interact with virtual surroundings just like they would in real life. Virtual hotel toursAn article by Bernard Marr states that many resorts are already using virtual tours to showcase their sites and facilities, which can be experienced on a smartphone, tablet or personal computer. The article also presents the example of Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai, which has created a 360-degree panoramic VR video that provides a tour of the hotel’s key features, restaurant, aquarium, pool, lobby, and waterpark, among other things. Virtual adventuresWhether it is enjoying your favourite roller coaster ride, diving into the depths of the ocean or climbing mountains, VR technology may be able to offer users fun and thrilling ways to experience these activities. Some apps out there can even take users on a virtual experience to climb the summit of a mountain. Safer alternative during COVID-19Since virtual tourism is a contactless means of experiencing the world around us, it can potentially provide a safer alternative in the times of COVID-19. VR-powered travel also offers a safer alternative to businesses involved in the tourism industry and could help safeguard them against the transmission of the virus.  Challenges of using VR-powered tools in tourismIn the above section, we saw how VR software can offer an alternative to people who may not be able to physically travel to places due to reasons like the COVID-19 pandemic, cost-ineffectiveness, geographical remoteness etc. In this section, we will look at some of the challenges posed by VR technology.Lack of sensory elementsAlthough VR tools might be getting adopted in many areas, there may still be some areas where this technology may not have been implemented. The intangible nature of virtual tours may make people miss real-life interactions with their surroundings and it may also potentially cause them to lose a sense of belongingness due to them not being able to smell, hear or touch their environment.Technological compatibility According to an article by the Manchester Metropolitan University, it remains a challenge to integrate newer technologies like VR with conventional communication channels like websites and social media. The article also mentions that because travel and tourism companies may operate online, they must find a way to deliver content that is compatible with the equipment the customer already owns in order to provide an accessible VR experience.What lies ahead?It may still be debatable whether VR-powered tools could ever completely or even partially replace the physical experience of travelling. Although VR technology has been present for some time, there is now a possibility for its wider application in the travel and tourism industry, especially during the pandemic. Travel companies may also use VR technology for sales and marketing purposes, hence likely improving their sales potential and possibly generating a parallel source of income. Looking for VR software? Check our catalogue\! ## About the author ### Sukanya Awasthi Sukanya Awasthi is a content analyst for Capterra, covering emerging technology trends with a focus on retail, construction and ERP. With an educational background in Computer Science, she brings 8 years of hands-on experience to her writing, translating intricate technical concepts into accessible and informative insights. Sukanya’s research and analysis is informed by nearly 200,000 authentic user reviews on Capterra and over 40,000 interactions between Capterra software advisors and software buyers. Sukanya also regularly analyzes market sentiment by conducting surveys of business leaders in the construction space, as well as retail leaders and consumers, so she can provide the most up-to-date and helpful information to small and midsize businesses purchasing software or services. Her work has been featured in Financial Express, Economic Times, and Bloomberg Quint, among other publications. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her loved ones and her two dogs. ## Related Categories - [Accounting Software](https://www.capterra.co.uk/directory/1/accounting/software) - [Artificial Intelligence (AI) Software](https://www.capterra.co.uk/directory/30938/artificial-intelligence/software) - [CRM Software](https://www.capterra.co.uk/directory/2/customer-relationship-management/software) - [Human Resources Software](https://www.capterra.co.uk/directory/5/human-resource/software) - [Project Management Software](https://www.capterra.co.uk/directory/30002/project-management/software) ## Related Articles - [5 best applicant tracking systems in the UK](https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog/3253/Best-applicant-tracking-systems-in-the-UK) - [Top 4 web conferencing software and their key features](https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog/2592/top-web-conferencing-software) - [5 best IT help desk ticketing systems for UK businesses](https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog/4308/best-IT-help-desk-ticketing-system-UK) - [Making Tax Digital: 6 popular software options for your business](https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog/880/making-tax-digital-6-popular-software-options-for-your-business) - [Buyer behaviour in 2022: Insights for UK firms adopting technology in 2023](https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog/3385/buyer-behaviour-and-technology-adoption) ## Links - [View on Capterra](https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog/2412/vr-in-tourism-what-you-need-to-know) - [Blog](https://www.capterra.co.uk/blog) - [Home](https://www.capterra.co.uk/) ----- ## Structured Data