Pivoting Around the Globe
Could Virtual Tourism Change the Way We Travel?
According to recent insights from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the tourism industry has seen consistent growth over the last six decades. What’s more is that the tourism sector is responsible for driving economic growth; specifically contributing 4.4% of GDP, 6.9% of employment, and 21.5% of service exports in OECD countries.
Sadly, the global tourism sector is expected to experience a loss of $1.2 trillion (or 1.5% of the global GDP) due to an ongoing standstill caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, many of the world’s “hotspot” cities are taking a new approach to encourage travel in hopes to capture a fraction of their losses. Thanks to a few travel-savvy mobile apps and the need for world leaders to bring cash back into their respective economies, antsy adventure seekers may not have to go too far to get their fix.
1. Zoom in to Culinary Classes
Ever wondered how you could recreate the taste of New Orleans from the comfort of your own kitchen? Thanks to Zoom and the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI), that’s now a possibility. The registration process is simple and affordable, running between $5-$20 per class. Their global lineup includes classes hosted by special guests, NOCHI hospitality students, and even a one-month membership for the virtual cooking classes.
2. Explore the Outdoors With Roadtrippers
As noted by many of the reviewers who use Roadtrippers, this app is highly recommended to anyone looking for an outdoor excursion. Whether you’re interested in visiting local nature preserves or a camping spot close to national monuments, Roadtrippers can get you there.
Verified user review: “Fantastic! Really useful with road trips and with finding things in my city I didn’t know existed. Seriously I recommend it to everyone, I love it!”
Like the name suggests, the app curates road trips based on a user’s input. By selecting your starting and ending locations, the app allows users to:
- Edit a planned route with tips and recommendations for places to check out.
- Collaborate and plan trips with friends who are also on Roadtrippers.
- Explore destinations along their route by filtering interests in real time via the app’s map functionality.
3. Cape Town from Anywhere
South Africa’s capital city has created quite a robust set of virtual offerings while people are locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic. In an effort to continue bringing in much-needed tourism revenue, Cape Town’s tourism arm has made it possible to enjoy a virtual experience for animal and art lovers alike. Head over to Tintswalo Safari Lodge to enjoy up close and personal video footage, filmed by game rangers as they patrol the South African safari. Take a walking tour of Woodstock street by booking a virtual tour that includes a story (shared via Google Meet) and visuals from Cape Town’s own, Juma Mkwela.
4. Take a Trek With Google Maps
While I can’t say I’ve ever been inclined to take the steep trip up Egypt’s historical pyramids, the Google Maps experience was amazing. Created by Google Maps, the virtual tour of the pyramids in Giza can be enjoyed from a sitting position; on your couch. The street view trek, as Google Maps is calling it, allows viewers to enjoy a virtual exploration of these archaeological sites. The best part? It’s free and family-friendly.
5. Beachside Video Conferencing
As a kid, I loved going to the beach on weekends but never quite felt like I got enough of the ocean spray and sun. Thanks to beach cams in Wilmington, NC, I never felt too far away from the memories and the seaside tranquility. However, these low-quality beach cams have evolved in the last 15 years and, thanks to Zoom, you can have video meetings from the beach; sort of. Wilmington’s tourism site is offering two Zoom backgrounds (free downloads on the site) to impress your colleagues with. And, they’ve also set up virtual tours of the many tourist hotspots along NC’s coast.
6. Learn From an Olympian via Airbnb
While Olympic kayaker Pita Taufatofua enjoys his time off, he’ll be hosting a master class on perseverance via Airbnb Online Experiences. The session is part of a series that Airbnb has designed, and it will allow students to learn from some of the world’s best athletes. The virtual experience will feature over 100 Olympians and Paralympians, giving registrants the chance to connect with athletes from around the globe. You can sign up for classes on Airbnb’s Online Experiences site; including courses from pro-skater Tony Hawk and Olympic runner, Mary Wineberg.
7. Explore the Galaxy with NASA
While most people are looking for ways to stay grounded during the extended lockdowns, NASA is enticing others to take a trip to outer space. NASA’s at-home experiences include the Exoplanet Travel Bureau virtual tour, which provides an interactive look at exoplanets and planets of other stars in our galaxy. Take in the scenic 360-degree visuals of the planets’ surfaces from your desktop or mobile phone. This is a great way to keep school-aged kids engaged or even put yourself in an astronaut’s space boots — metaphorically speaking.
Have you enjoyed a virtual experience recently, thanks to a mobile app? Let us know what your favorite one is and which platform made it possible.
