Over the past few years, smart tourism has seen a boom in popularity, providing unique experiences through everything from live streaming to virtual reality. So, let’s take a look at some of the most innovative smart tourism experiences in England.
Live Streaming the Lake District
Live streaming has long since been used in entertainment settings, providing people with a digital version of a traditionally in-person experience.
Take something like online casinos, for example – when card enthusiasts play blackjack online games at Paddy’s the game is led by a real host around a real card table in a studio, which is then live streamed to players in real time.
This allows players to interact with both the host and other players, providing an immersive and authentic experience.
This same logic can be applied to tourism experiences, particularly if the area has the nuance of conservation.
In places like the Lake District, the beauty is in how idyllic and natural it is – something increased footfall might negatively impact over time.
In addition, steep hills can be difficult to navigate for some abilities.
With this in mind, Visit Cumbria has set up webcams in over fifty locations around the area, streaming the lakes, towns, and general views live to viewers who might not normally be able to experience these sights.
Experience Virtual Reality in Coventry
Virtual reality (VR) has become increasingly popular over the last decade.
Put simply, VR creates a whole new digital environment, as opposed to augmented reality (AR) which imposes digital elements into the real world.
Users can experience the digital environment using VR headsets and other equipment that allows them to interact with the environment in real time, providing an immersive experience.
With this in mind, Coventry University developed a VR app that allows people to experience Coventry Cathedral during the Coventry Blitz, using archival images to create a 3D model for the simulation, alongside interactive news articles and information.
The app was made free to download on Google Play, and is compatible with most VR headsets. For those who don’t have their own VR headset, there have been pop up VR events in various locations in Coventry.
Take a Virtual Tour in London
Whilst live streaming is great for many applications, some tourist experiences might require something that is moving – even something that has been pre-recorded and edited together.
In other words, a virtual tour. Essentially, a virtual tour allows people to explore hidden or inaccessible places without needing to visit the location in question.
As the capital city, it’s almost no surprise that London has a wide range of virtual tours – you can even take a virtual tour bus around the city!
Others take you down into the secret spaces of the London Underground.
Virtual tours at the London Transport Museum allow viewers to experience 160 years of the Tube’s history, discovering forgotten lines and repurposed stations that are inaccessible to the public.
This provides tourists with a unique experience, opening up new areas of the city for people to explore.
And there you have it – just a few smart tourism experiences that shed new light on areas around England.
All that’s left to do is begin exploring this country in new ways, uncovering new facts and experiences along the way.
