How VR Tourism is Shaping the Future of Travel [8 Ways]

Innovation in the VR tourism industry addresses immediate challenges by changing how travelers engage with destinations and plan their experiences. For instance, VR Travel Expo uses 3D geospatial technology and a unique Tire Menu interface to create an immersive travel planning environment. Similarly, Glome improves heritage site preservation and education through immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences.

VR Tourism allows users to explore museums and city tours without physical barriers and improves accessibility for individuals with disabilities. As these developments reshape the landscape, stakeholders must urgently adapt to these changes to remain competitive and meet the evolving demands of travelers who seek unique and accessible experiences. The full report delves into eight key ways VR tourism is shaping the future of travel, providing valuable insights for industry experts navigating this dynamic sector.

Why should you read this report?

• Gain in-depth insights into the top 8 applications of VR impacting tourism
• Learn about three practical use cases for each application area
• Meet 8 innovative startups advancing these VR applications

Key Takeaways

1. Virtual Destination Exploration
   • Use Cases:
     • City Exploration
     • Customized Itineraries
     • Wildlife Safaris
   • Startup to Watch: SpaceTo
2. Hotel and Accommodation Tours
   • Use Cases:
     • 360-Degree Room Views
     • Virtual Facility Tours
     • Room Customization
   • Startup to Watch: VIAVR for Hotels
3. Cultural and Historical Experiences
   • Use Cases:
     • Historical Reenactments
     • Local Art Workshops
     • Festival Celebration
   • Startup to Watch: Virtual Worlds
4. Travel Planning
   • Use Cases:
     • Itinerary Building
     • Budgeting and Cost Analysis
     • Cultural Etiquette and Local Insights
   • Startup to Watch: VR Travel Expo
5. Virtual Travel Experiences
   • Use Cases:
     • Crisis Management Scenarios
     • Destination Knowledge Modules
     • Customer Interaction Simulations
   • Startup to Watch: Finally Voyage
6. Language Immersion
   • Use Cases:
     • Real-Life Conversation Practice
     • Cultural Contextualization
     • Interactive Vocabulary Building
   • Startup to Watch: Speak Africa
7. Heritage Site Preservation and Education
   • Use Cases:
     • Digital Archiving Projects
     • Virtual Museum Exhibits
     • Community Storytelling Platforms
   • Startup to Watch: Glome
8. Environmental Awareness Education
   • Use Cases:
     • Virtual Eco-Tours of Endangered Habitats
     • Local Environmental Issue Exploration
     • Interactive Climate Change Simulations
   • Startup to Watch: Hop A Tour

FAQs: Applications of VR in the Tourism Industry

What is VR tourism?

VR tourism refers to the use of virtual reality technology to create immersive travel experiences that allow users to explore destinations without physical presence. This approach enables users to engage with virtual environments that replicate real-world locations, offering interactive elements such as guided tours, historical insights, and cultural narratives. The technology integrates various multimedia components, including 360° videos, augmented reality overlays, and interactive simulations, to increase user engagement and provide a detailed understanding of the destination.

What are the benefits of virtual tourism?

Virtual tourism offers numerous benefits for both travelers and the industry. It increases accessibility, allowing individuals with disabilities or those who face travel restrictions to explore destinations they might otherwise miss. Additionally, virtual tourism supports environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional travel. It also provides cost-effective options for travel planning, enabling users to experience different locations before making financial commitments. Further, virtual tourism promotes cultural education by offering insights into local customs, history, and heritage, fostering a greater appreciation for diverse cultures.

Where is this Data from?

StartUs Insights provides data through its comprehensive Discovery Platform, which covers 4.7+ million startups, scaleups, and tech companies globally, as well as 20K+ emerging technologies & trends. The platform excels in startup and technology scouting, trend intelligence, and patent searches, offering a detailed view of the innovation landscape. For this report, we analyzed technologies within specific industries using the trend intelligence feature. During this research, we identified patterns and trends, pinpointing relevant use cases and the startups developing solutions for each. More capabilities and details are available at StartUs Insights Discovery Platform.

Top 8 Applications of VR in Tourism [2025 & Beyond]

1. Virtual Destination Exploration

Many popular tourist destinations pose accessibility challenges for individuals with physical disabilities. 360-degree video tours allow these users to explore sites virtually for an immersive experience when physical visits are not possible. Additionally, travelers often face decision-making difficulties due to an overwhelming number of options. Interactive virtual tours improve this process by providing detailed views of attractions.

This solution allows users to navigate at their own pace and visualize their trips without uncertainty. Moreover, as tourism increases, the risk of damage to cultural heritage sites escalates. VR technology creates virtual replicas of historical sites for users to engage with cultural heritage without causing harm. Further, virtual destination explorations adapt to evolving traveler expectations while preserving cultural heritage.

Noteworthy Example: Emirates has integrated virtual reality experiences into its services for passengers to explore aircraft cabins, destinations, and onboard amenities through immersive VR environments.

3 Practical Use Cases of Virtual Destination Exploration

• City Exploration: VR-powered city sightseeing systems enable users to virtually navigate town streets and landmarks. This provides immersive previews of attractions and encourages potential visitors to explore in person.
• Customized Itineraries: Virtual reality allows travel enthusiasts to enjoy virtual tours based on their personal interests, such as adventure, culture, or cuisine. This increases engagement and allows travelers to plan more meaningful, targeted trips.
• Wildlife Safaris: Solutions like virtual reality provide an immersive adventure into diverse ecosystems and animal habitats. This experience fosters interest in real-life wildlife tourism while raising awareness about conservation efforts.

Startup to Watch: SpaceTo

UAE-based company, SpaceTo creates immersive virtual worlds that amplify experiences in the metaverse. The company offers pre-built immersive solutions to visit places virtually including The Odyssey, The Arcade, The Symposium, and The Modern Arabesque. Besides, for those seeking customization, the company’s solution allows users to fine-tune their virtual environments pixel by pixel, catering to various needs in events and entertainment. Additionally, in the hospitality and tourism sectors, the company uses guest data to offer personalized itinerary planning and simplify bookings and check-ins. It also provides multilingual support and localized content to educate audiences about top travel destinations.

2. Hotel and Accommodation Tours

Traditional images and videos often misrepresent hotel rooms as they lack the true ambiance and spatial layout. 3D room visualization solutions address this by creating detailed, accurate models to increase guest expectations. Additionally, many customers struggle to access accurate hotel information, particularly about accessibility. Virtual reality tour platforms enable users to virtually walk through hotel rooms increasing accessibility. Further, integrating user-generated content (UGC), like reviews and ratings, with VR previews. This way VR improves travel planning and promotes inclusivity in tourism​.

Noteworthy Example: The Grand Oasis Hotel utilizes a VR tour that highlights its unique pyramid structure and lush gardens.

3 Practical Use Cases of Hotel and Accommodation Tours

• 360-Degree Room Views: Panoramic room views let guests explore hotel accommodations to visualize their stay before making a reservation, and this improve booking rates.
• Virtual Facility Tours: Virtual solutions showcase amenities like pools, gyms, and dining areas to attract guests looking for specific services and experiences.
• Room Customization: Personalized room journeys allow guests to tailor their accommodations virtually. This interactive approach increases customer satisfaction and encourages bookings.

Startup to Watch: VIAVR for Hotels

Cyprus-based startup, VIAVR for Hotels provides a VR headset for hotels to offer an immersive virtual experience. The wireless headset is compact and ergonomic as well as functions without high-speed internet connection. This makes it suitable for hotel rooms. The device also features an intuitive interface, immediate content loading, and integration options for hotel services to personalize the experience with branded start screens. Additionally, the company’s proprietary platform supports remote monitoring, a variety of payment methods, detailed usage statistics, 360° content, and interactive products. This provides tourism companies with tailored virtual experiences for business hotels, resorts, and country villages.

3. Cultural and Historical Experiences

Cultural sites face challenges from degradation due to environmental changes, conflict, and neglect. To address this, 3D modeling and digital reconstruction solutions allow virtual visits to damaged or lost heritage sites to preserve these destinations for future generations​. Additionally, VR platforms provide engaging tours and gamified interactions that encourage the active exploration of cultural narratives that modern tourists seek. VR applications further increase accessibility by integrating multiple languages and offering audio descriptions or sign language options to enhance cultural exchange. This allows diverse audiences to engage effectively with cultural content and promote a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity.

Noteworthy Example: YouVisit offers VR travel experiences for users to explore destinations, accommodations, and attractions through immersive 360-degree videos.

3 Practical Use Cases of Cultural and Historical Experiences

• Historical Reenactments: Historical portrayals enable users to experience events from the past. This engagement increases cultural understanding and draws tourists interested in history and heritage.
• Local Art Workshops: Immersive solutions offer virtual classes led by regional artists. By promoting local talent, these workshops attract art enthusiasts and inspire travel to such destinations.
• Festival Celebration: VR allows travelers to experience local celebrations and traditions virtually. This exposure encourages them to attend these events, which boosts tourism.

Startup to Watch: Virtual Worlds

US-based company Virtual Worlds creates immersive experiences to engage, entertain, and educate through photogrammetry, animated 3D content, 3D replicas of historical and contemporary, virtual production. By using game engine applications, the company designs virtual worlds for users to explore historical moments, such as a walk around Ancient Egypt or a spectator’s view of the Colosseum. The company also offers free-roam VR exhibitions and interactive entertainment to engage users.

4. Travel Planning

Virtual destination previews enable travelers to explore cities, hotels, and attractions before booking. Additionally, VR tools allow travelers with physical disabilities to check the availability of accessibility aids like ramps and elevators. Moreover, immersive VR travel experiences let users virtually visit landmarks and cultural sites, offering a preview of their journey and enhancing decision-making for future trips.

Noteworthy Example: Marriott introduced VRoom Service, allowing guests to request VR headsets to explore various hotel properties and destinations virtually.

3 Practical Use Cases of Travel Planning

• Itinerary Building: VR allows travelers to virtually explore destinations and map out their trips. This ensures a well-organized travel experience.
• Budgeting & Cost Analysis: VR budgeting tools offer travelers a virtual sense of accommodations, transportation, and activities. This improves cost planning for more accurate budget decisions and reduces unexpected expenses.
• Cultural Etiquette & Local Insights: A virtual preview of local customs, etiquette, and cultural practices prepare travelers to better interact in a new environment. This avoids misunderstandings and improves travel experience.

Startup to Watch: VR Travel Expo

VR Travel Expo is a US-based company that provides a social virtual reality platform for travelers. It creates an immersive travel planning experience using 3D geospatial technology and a proprietary interface that facilitates quick access to iconic landmarks. Travelers also explore community hubs, expo halls, and digital twins of locations worldwide, while the platform’s AI answers questions and assists with reservations. Further, the platform facilitates travel planning, encouraging eco-friendly practices and sustainable tourism experiences.

5. Virtual Travel Experiences

Virtual travel experiences lack hands-on engagement with real-world scenarios. Immersive simulation platforms create realistic environments where travelers can practice customer interactions, emergencies, and logistics in a controlled setting. Traditional training is costly, but virtual environments allow learners to explore various destinations without travel expenses. Adaptive learning VR modules use AI to assess progress and tailor content to different learning styles.

Social VR environments enable real-time collaboration among travelers for interaction and teamwork in tourism. Additionally, virtual experiences foster a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures through interactive historical and educational content. By integrating immersive simulations, cost efficiency, adaptive learning, and collaboration, virtual travel training improves travelers’ preparedness and cultural understanding.

Noteworthy Example: Icelandic tourism authorities partnered with Advania to create a 4D virtual reality experience for users to explore the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights from VR stations at airports and travel agencies globally.

3 Practical Use Cases of Virtual Travel Experiences

• Crisis Management Scenarios: VR apps simulate emergency management scenarios to increase preparedness and safety for travelers.
• Destination Knowledge Modules: The virtual reality modules provide in-depth information about various travel locations. These modules offer essential insights and improves customer service and visitor experiences.
• Customer Interaction Simulations: VR solutions prepare staff for real-world scenarios with tourists. This improves interaction skills and service quality while positively impacting guest satisfaction.

Startup to Watch: Finally Voyage

Finally Voyage is a US-based company that develops a mobile app that delivers virtual travel experiences. Travelers select their dream destination, ranging from Paris to Tokyo, and the app connects with local hosts to provide insider knowledge and personal stories. The app also features high-definition virtual tours that allow for interactive exploration of popular landmarks and hidden gems. Travelers engage in customizable activities tailored to their interests and schedules. By prioritizing authentic experiences and cultural immersion, Finally Voyage fosters connections between travelers and local cultures.

6. Language Immersion

Travelers often struggle to communicate with locals. VR platforms let them practice speaking and listening in the destination’s language to address the language barrier. Lacking knowledge of local customs leads to misunderstandings, but VR scenarios teach cultural norms and gestures as well as focus on regional accents and dialects travelers to better understand local variations. Additionally, VR-based language immersion tools place travelers in specific settings such as markets, transportation hubs, and historical sites. This improves language skills and increases cultural understanding for a more enriching travel experience.

Noteworthy Example: FluentU uses real-world videos, such as music videos, movie trailers, and travel vlogs, to teach languages through immersive content.

3 Practical Use Cases of Language Immersion

• Real-Life Conversation Practice: Travelers use VR to practice conversations in different languages with locals in a simulated environment. This builds confidence in communication and makes real interactions smoother.
• Cultural Contextualization: VR provides immersive experiences that allow travelers to explore and understand the culture, traditions, and customs of a destination to increase tourists’ awareness.
• Interactive Vocabulary Building: Travelers use VR to learn key phrases and vocabulary relevant to their destination’s language through interactive simulations. This makes it easier for tourists to navigate daily interactions.

Startup to Watch: Speak Africa

Speak Africa provides a platform for learning African languages and cultures through immersive experiences. It features a built-in assistant that enables users to learn their favorite language on the go while accessing a diverse array of standby African language interpreters available 24/7. The company offers video-based content for one-on-one or group classes for students to connect and communicate with peers. Users are able to translate movies, videos, audio, PDFs, and texts between English and their chosen African languages to get a deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Additionally, it facilitates live classes that connect students globally, promoting a collaborative learning environment. Through community spaces, users engage in conversations, share knowledge, and support causes while enjoying access to a worldwide audience.

7. Heritage Site Preservation and Education

Climate change and natural disasters threaten heritage sites and many destinations remain inaccessible due to geographical constraints or physical limitations. Virtual reconstructions offer an immersive experience of historical environments and allow travelers to explore digitally restored heritage sites. Additionally, interactive learning platforms offer virtual tours of world heritage sites to increase educational engagement and raise awareness about the importance of preservation. 3D documentation solutions further enable detailed recording of heritage sites and create an accurate digital replica for future restoration efforts. By integrating VR, the tourism industry sustains cultural heritage while improving the travel experience.

Noteworthy Example: Matterport is a technology company that enables museums and heritage sites to create immersive 3D virtual tours.

3 Practical Use Cases of Heritage Site Preservation and Education

• Digital Archiving Projects: Create virtual records of cultural artifacts and sites to provide access to history while attracting tourists to these heritage locations.
• Virtual Museum Exhibits:Enable users to explore collections from their homes. This broadens the museum’s audience and encourages visits to physical locations.
• Community Storytelling Platforms: Highlight local narratives and traditions to foster a connection to heritage and promotes cultural tourism.

Startup to Watch: Glome

Italian startup Glome offers immersive virtual reality solutions that improve heritage site preservation and education. The company creates 360 degree, video productions, virtual tours, and interactive experiences for museums, institutions, and other organizations. By integrating interactive hot-spots, the company allows travelers to explore city tours, art galleries, and tourist attractions without physical barriers.

8. Environmental Awareness Education

Overcrowding at popular destinations leads to habitat destruction, pollution, and strain on local resources. To counter this, travel companies deliver VR content to increase environmental awareness and promote sustainable travel. Such solutions allow travelers to explore ecosystems without adding to physical foot traffic. Many travelers also lack awareness of the environmental impacts of their choices and the importance of sustainability. Further, VR applications simulate climate change effects on ecosystems by, illustrating rising sea levels, species extinction, and habitat loss. This immersive education increases traveler experiences and promotes responsible travel.

Noteworthy Example: The Nature Conservancy has developed virtual tours that allow users to explore various ecosystems, such as coral reefs and forests, from their homes.

3 Practical Use Cases of Environmental Awareness Education

• Virtual Tours of Endangered Habitats: Immersive eco-tours allow travelers to explore and experience endangered habitats and raise awareness about conservation efforts and promote eco-tourism among travelers.
• Local Environmental Issue Exploration: Uses VR to educate travelers about specific environmental challenges facing communities. This encourages responsible tourism and supports local initiatives.
• Interactive Climate Change Simulations: Provide users with a responsive way to visualize climate change impacts and about the urgency of climate action.

Startup to Watch: Hop A Tour

Israeli company Hop A Tour provides virtual field trips to increase environmental awareness and education. The company curriculum-based tours allow educators to create and book immersive enrichment experiences customized to their classroom needs. Through live-streaming interactive tours simulate the experience of a professional tour guide. Consequently, the company’s solution enables students to explore various locations and ensure personalized engagement.

Act Now to Take Advantage of Top Tourism Technologies

Investors like Y Combinator, Techstars, and Paycheck Protection Program support VR focused startups in tourism. They provide resources to drive innovation, with funding that spans seed, early-stage VC/Series A, Accelerator and Later stage VC investments. These investments foster technological development in this sector and encourage VR solutions that enhance virtual tours, travel planning, and destination explorations.

Take immediate action on the emerging virtual reality and tourism technologies to stay ahead in the industry. StartUs Insights empowers you to uncover hidden opportunities among 4.7 million startups and tech companies, alongside insights into 20K+ technologies and trends. Our AI-powered, real-time database provides unparalleled access to solutions that are not available elsewhere, ensuring you always lead in innovation.

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