Virtual Reality and the Travel Industry

As president of Blum Virtual Travel, Randy Blum offers online virtual tourism opportunities at no cost to users. Randy Blum comes to this work with an in-depth knowledge of travel destinations and virtual reality (VR).

VR becomes more integrated into many industries as advancements in the technology make VR more accessible. The technology has particular relevance to the world of travel, which in the past has depended on written descriptions, photographs, and two-dimensional videos to entice customers. Many tech-savvy travelers are already using tools such as Google Street View to get a sense of a destination, but immersion in VR, a technology that simulates an environment in three dimensions, takes that concept a giant step further.

VR allows a potential traveler to virtually walk through the streets of a destination city. In comfort and without the expense of airfare or hotel, the virtual traveler can experience the sights and sounds of a new place.

VR has applications not only to travel agencies that can allow their clients to sample potential destinations but also to lower-income travel enthusiasts. Users have reported that the VR experience mimics the experience of actual travel so accurately that VR is a potential resource for those who cannot make a real trip. Perhaps in the future, virtual tourism will become a standard or optional element of travel.