Online bank tellers, online travel agents, why not just go on a virtual trip? Marriott hotels may have the ability to let you "teleport" to your ideal destination. Last month, the international chain launched a new toy for consumers: a 4-D virtual reality travel experience in which a participant wears a pair of Oculus Rift spectacles before they can travel to their virtual destination.
This year, luxury tour operator Destinology spent two months working with Google to produce Street-view guides to 40 of the hotels it markets, and Best Western hotels announced it would spend $2 million on capturing 360-degree images of 2200 of its properties for a similar project.
This virtual reality gives consumers the ability to go inside and see the hotel before making reservations. This is an extremely powerful marketing tool. Hotels and online travel agents are all trying to differentiate themselves from the low-cost competition. Virtual walkthroughs will separate the Marriott and Best Western from all of their competition.
Reality travel apps for smartphones, such as Paris, Then and Now, which allows you to explore the city with historical images layered all over your actual surroundings. Google Glass is a similar project on the horizon. Information will be projected in front of you, and you can use objects such as Google Glass as you travel around. It allows the participant to customize their experiences based on their needs. Broke this Christmas? Just ask to borrow a pair of Oculus Rift spectacles and you will be on your way!
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