According to the findings of a new survey that was carried out by Booking.com personally, as borders begin to open up as a result of prolonged COVID-induced travel restrictions, the Metaverse, which is one of the most recent sub-crypto ecosystems, is set to assist travelers in deciding on the locations that they want to explore in person. A survey with 24,179 participants from 32 countries was conducted by the well-known online travel firm Booking.com.
The results of the survey revealed that travelers had a great interest in digitally experiencing destinations before deciding on their itinerary. Younger generations, specifically Generation Z (45%) and Millennials (43%), are the ones who are most inclined to check out travel experiences in the Metaverse. The Metaverse gives those who might not be capable of traveling physically a way to experience the globe.
This can be done either as a replacement for going somewhere in person or as a way to get ready for an approaching journey. The travel industry may reap the benefits of this emerging technology in a number of different ways, one of which is by providing Metaverse-based virtual tours and excursions. Even though the Metaverse is yet in its infancy, several travel companies are already making use of the newly developed technology.
There are already several companies offering virtual 3D renditions of real-world settings and destinations. For example, you may now tour the Louvre Museum in Paris, in VR. Virtual guests have the option of viewing exhibitions, attending concerts, or even meeting up with friends to take a virtual tour of the museum.
Metaverse’s Influence on the Travel Industry
43% of those who participated in the Booking.com survey stated unequivocally that they intended to make use of virtual reality to guide their decision-making. Approximately 4574 people are a part of this group, and they believe that going to new places should only be done after first experiencing them digitally.
In addition, more than 35% of those who participated in the survey are open to the idea of spending numerous days in the Metaverse in order to become familiar with the environments that are available at various popular destinations. Booking.com claims that supporting technologies such as haptic feedback would significantly boost this experience by enabling customers to indulge in the sand beaches and tropical sun without having to physically leave their homes.
However, 60% of those who took the survey said that the experiences that can be had through the Metaverse and other virtual technologies can’t compare to those that can be had in person. The cities of Sao Paulo (Brazil), Pondicherry (India), Hobart (Australia), and Bolzano (Italy) are expected to be among the most popular travel destinations in 2023. People who would ordinarily travel as a means of exploring the world can take advantage of Metaverse travel because it is both a safer and more cost-effective way to visit new places.
Online conferences and seminars are becoming more and more common among organizations and people who travel frequently for employment or educational purposes. Traveling across the Metaverse may one day be able to satisfy this demand in the future. However, in the years to come, it is possible that technology could advance to the point where it would be possible to offer full-fledged Metaverse vacations.
How the Metaverse Will Transform the Travel Industry?
At first glance, it could appear that the Metaverse could pose a problem for the tourism business. However, this is just an initial impression. After all, if people can experience new locales in a virtual realm that is rendered in three dimensions, they may not feel the need to physically travel to such locations. However, it is still doubtful that the Metaverse will ever be able to fully substitute traditional travel and will instead simply become a component of travel technology.
One of the most obvious advantages of the Metaverse is the increased availability of new and improved sources of travel inspiration. It is also possible that the Metaverse will serve as a supplement to the travel business by giving potential tourists a sample of the kinds of things they will be able to experience. It will be able to let travellers see hotel rooms and other locations before they book, and it will even be conceivable for them to try out the process of checking in before they commit to staying there.
Travelers might participate in virtual tours and get an overview of some of the most popular points of interest in the region. This would inspire them to go there in person and provide guidance on how they should spend their time and money once they reach their destination. Metaverse travel has the potential to make the experience of arranging a trip more enjoyable and engaging.
Even if the majority of reservations are made online these days, there are still some aspects of customer service that can’t be replicated on a website. Users will be able to ask questions of a (real or virtual) agent, negotiate bargains, combine products, and pay in an easy and straightforward manner if they book their vacation in the Metaverse.
This may be more comparable to the experience of visiting a traditional travel agency in-person. Even after the consumer has arrived at their location, they are still able to utilize the Metaverse to report problems, place orders for food and services, and research activities, tours, and other experiences that they may schedule using the Metaverse.
