Open Your Mind to Virtual Reality in the Travel Industry

Get ready for virtual reality travel, because it’s bringing the travel industry to life. Well, almost to life. Virtual reality, or VR, is a way to “go somewhere” without actually going anywhere. And we’re not talking about going to an imaginary world through gaming, although that’s where the technology has gone mainstream. In travel, VR is a new form of immersive content designed to simulate a real-world experience—for inspiration or a mini-getaway.

Content that’s built for VR combines 3D and 2D visual data (and sometimes audio) into an almost-like-being-there experience. Companies like Matterport are bringing this “virtual walk-through” technology to travel companies. Customers can watch the content like they watch a traditional video—or strap on a VR headset for the 360-degree experience. For example, Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts offers site visitors a number of virtual tours they can experience on the website’s embedded video player or through a download if they’re using a headset.

The Ultimate Trip Planning Tool?

Today, VR is being used by suppliers in the travel industry mainly as a marketing tool enabling trip planners to more deeply explore destinations they’re thinking of visiting. Instead of paging through 2-D images, reading reviews, or thumbing through guidebooks and magazines, consumers—including B2B industry event planners and corporate travel managers—can get up close and personal with their various options through VR content.

An article on Travel-think.com examines virtual reality in the travel space. Here are highlights of how the author describes actual (and potential) uses by various suppliers:

• Airports: Walk passengers through their journey, from arrival and check-in through security, shopping and boarding.
• Airlines and Rail Companies: Demonstrate aircraft cabins and business lounges—and show seats to aid in seat selection while booking.

• Hotels: Take visitors through all types of rooms, highlighting views and the amenities they’ll find inside. Learn about VRoom Service, Marriott’s experiment with Samsung’s Gear HR.

• Destinations (DMOs): Invite people to “visit” monuments, natural wonders and other area hot spots.
• Car Rental Companies: Show the types of vehicles available and give customers a view of service desks.

• Conference and Exhibition Centers: Provide a tour of meeting rooms, conference rooms and exhibition spaces, and include a look at catering spreads.

Taking a “Trip”

People don’t have to be planning a vacation to enjoy VR-based travel tools. VR is not expected to provide a substitute for actually traveling, anyway. It’s just not the same as getting away and fully experiencing a place with all 5 senses—but it’s fun. It’s about as immersive as people can get without actually being there. No wonder DigitalTrends.com calls it a medium for “armchair wanderlust.”

It’s easy to see why VR technology has the potential to change the way suppliers market their products and services. Consumers, in their own right, are likely to expect VR resources as part of their planning and booking process. Or, they’ll simply be looking for new ways to take a quick vacation without leaving home.

Want to learn more about VR in the business environment? Skip over to the WEX Corporate Payments Insights blog to read The Reality of Payments Opportunities in VR and AR.