Augmented reality has become the MAINSTREAM technology in the travel and tourism sector. Whether it’s a travel business or an agency, a hotel, or an airline, AR technology has grown steadily and redefined the entire travel landscape.
At the same time, it creates immersive experiences for customers. In the era of digitalization, it has become challenging for travel companies to stand out in the sea of crowds.
The only possible way to gauge travelers' attention is by developing an Augmented reality app that convinces travelers to go for a virtual tour and travel to expensive destinations at an affordable cost.
An AR-based travel app enables businesses to bridge the gap between imagination and reality by creating immersive experiences for their customers.
In this blog, let’s explore how you can use AR technology for your travel and tourism business.
What is AR in travel and tourism?
Augmented reality is an immersive technology that superimposes virtual content in a real-world environment.
To access the virtual content, users just need to point their smartphone camera towards the historical monuments, and they can see the digital information overlaid on physical objects.
Unlike virtual reality, users do not immerse themselves in virtual environments. In AR, visual elements, sound, and GPS are added.
The infusion of AR technology in travel apps makes the customer experience more immersive. It is a game changer for people who want to explore far-off destinations but can’t travel because traveling requires time, money, and effort.
Augmented reality is a boon for travelers as they can explore their destination at home. Alternatively, travel businesses can arrange engaging virtual tours for travel enthusiasts, get more visitors, and boost their revenue.
AR helps travel and tourism companies in various ways -
An AR-based travel app provides additional insights about the specific place or nearby places such as public transport, bus stops, pharmacies, etc. Customers get a 360-degree overview of the place they’re likely to visit.
For Instance – Best Western hotels and resorts used this innovative technology to add gamified experiences to their physical surroundings.
Children can interact with digital elements which in this case are Disney characters found on hotel premises.
What are the use cases of AR in the travel and tourism industry?
Unlike other sectors, Augmented reality is shaping the travel industry by enabling businesses to offer immersive experiences to customers.
On the other hand, it guides travelers to reach popular attractions and makes their traveling journey stress-free.
Let’s find out how AR provides immense potential for travel businesses and its customers-
1. AR acts as a travel guide
Today tourists demand interactive experiences, and the integration of AR in travel and tourism makes that possible.
AR travel guide turns those boring places into beautiful destinations, it makes the historical moments live.
Travelers can learn to travel through bustling streets, view 3D models of places, and learn about the history and culture of destinations.
An example of a top AR travel app is World Around Me which guides the tourist by pinpointing the camera towards the street and provides real guide directions on how to navigate unfamiliar places.
This app lets travelers explore unknown and unfamiliar places hassle-free by providing information about hospitals, shops, transportation stops, etc.
2. AR tours
Unlike VR, Augmented reality doesn’t allow users to wear a headset to explore the physical environment.
An AR powered virtual tour makes traveling more experiential as travelers can wear AR glasses to get real-time information about the objects and environment.
Planning a destination takes hours and even a few days or months, while AR tours enhance such experience by making travel places accessible.
At the same time, travel businesses can generate streams of revenue through augmented tours.
3. Innovative advertisements
AR-based ads are a game changer for travel companies to influence the buying decisions of travelers.
Through AR advertisements, marketers can bring customers down the funnel as they can visualize properties in their real settings. Thus, they are more likely to get turned into your loyal customers.
A research study from Expedia states that 78% of traveler decisions are based on interactive content. It means that travel companies can get more bookings and sales by running such compelling and engaging ads.
4. Language Translation
Initially, tourists face challenges in translating signs and menus when they visit a foreign land or destination. AR apps in travel and tourism can bridge language differences and help customers understand signs or menus in their native language.
Thus, travelers don’t need any translator guide as they just need to point their smartphone camera at the text and ask language related problems from the app. Thus, translation is available to the customer at their fingertips.
5. AR for museums
Augmented reality brings life to these boring places. AR apps enable tourists to interact with historical sites and this brings immersive experiences.
Imagine when an AR tour is added to the museum, visitors can experience moments when an ancient ship sails in the sea all through 3D models. That just makes the traveler's experience more memorable.
Integration of AR into the Museum overlays digital content on the physical environment. Such immersive technology provides additional details about exhibitions.
Visitors just need AR glasses to access the augmented content such as overlaying historical objects in the real world.
AR makes everything possible. This emerging technology brings more visitors, enhances visitors' engagement, and preserves the cultural heritage.
Wrapping up
Now, you understand that Augmented reality is becoming the HOTTEST trend in the travel industry which can meet the evolving needs of modern customers.
Travel has got wings now as AR broke the traditional old-school norm where individuals were restricted by time and cost boundaries.
Most importantly, AR-powered travel apps provide comforting travel experiences to people by creating a platform where travelers can reach far-off destinations and enjoy personalized city tours.
In a nutshell, Augmented reality benefits various stakeholders involved in the travel industry be it customers, online booking agencies, travel businesses, etc.
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Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
