With much of the world locked away in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s tourism industry has taken a huge hit and is desperately trying to offer virtual tour options in a bid to remain relevant.
Just a few weeks into the lockdown, March 30 has been declared as National Virtual Vacation Day. Your choice of places to visit on your computer is endless. One of the best places to start is the Google Street View Gallery which offers immersive tours of some of the world’s greatest places, both indoors and outdoors. For example, you can tour London’s famous British Museum via Google:
Did you know you can #MuseumFromHome on @Google Street View?
Explore the galleries and find your favourite objects wherever you are – start a virtual visit by dropping in to Room 41 to see finds from Sutton Hoo: https://t.co/mVitUCO2Uv pic.twitter.com/nbRSvWXZmz
— British Museum (@britishmuseum) March 19, 2020
But it’s not just big-name museums that are jumping on the virtual-tour bandwagon. Even places as unlikely as the Central State Museum and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments in Kazakhstan are online for your exploration:
A perfect pastime for anyone who is currently self-isolating: Take a virtual tour of a museum in Kazakhstan. Among those on offer are the Central State Museum and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments (a personal favourite!)https://t.co/QW4e0dGhqH pic.twitter.com/oR8htw4heb
— Destination Central Asia (@DestCentralAsia) March 28, 2020
It’s certainly an online activity that you’ll want to try with your kids that will let you explore the world together and talk about places that you’ll want to visit in the real world once this is all over.
Jasmine taking a virtual tour of the National Gallery with our neighbour via Skype this afternoon…@B4Class pic.twitter.com/nOFLRLcUUe
— lougear05 (@lougear05) March 30, 2020
While you’re contemplating life in self-isolation, think about the astronauts orbiting above us on the International Space Station then take a virtual tour of their spaceship:
Cabin fever setting in? Go for a virtual tour/watch videos of life inside the International Space Station – you’ll feel instantly better, I promise.
[seriously though, what an incredible space]https://t.co/RNBykdJeim https://t.co/vGWct76dto https://t.co/z8lOVMDMMz pic.twitter.com/a6nVjfTMhp— Irène DB (@UrbanFoxxxx) March 24, 2020
A lot of experts say that virtual tourism is a trend to watch out for in the future. It’s still probably not much more than a curiosity, but if this pandemic stretches on, it might just be the impetus that pushes it to the next level where it becomes a real force in the travel industry.
What’s your take on virtual tourism? Is it something that you enjoy? Do you have a favourite that you could recommend?
