Future Tourism

Travel needs have been undergoing change for quite some time, but the coronavirus has forced companies to meet digital needs on a tight schedule. The pandemic has also affected the demand for domestic travel and the range of services. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) may at first sound hard to approach, even though their purpose is to increase the experiential nature of travel and its accessibility. Next, we will take a closer look at travel trends and the opportunities technology brings to digital tourism.  

Travel trends now and in the future

Nearby travel is flourishing at home, and new local destinations and experiences are more attractive than ever. Globally, the trend of digital tourism has been visible for some time. Virtual route options and 360 experiences have been popular among travelers. Through them you can get into the travel mood already at home, and trip planning becomes easier with various digital services. Virtual experiences can be enjoyed on a mobile device or through VR glasses. How would a visit to the top of the Eiffel Tower from your couch sound? Or a nostalgic journey through historical landscapes while listening to stories from times past?  

Changing needs in tourism and digital accessibility

At the end of last year, the City of Äänekoski launched the project Tourism industry's changing needs and digital accessibility. The aim of the project is to create innovative solutions for the tourism of the future; digital tourism products. Product ideas have been planned across the board: virtual nature trails, a virtual camp school, and immersive videos.  

When developing products, both the target group and the experience factor must be taken into account. It is certain that digital tourism products will not fully replace physical travel. Digitalization in tourism may also raise many questions and uncertainties. Not all digital implementation options are necessarily familiar to companies either. The possibilities for digital implementations vary, but the goal is that the solution is easy to use and engaging. The VR world offers experiences for all ages regardless of background, and the 360 world opening up behind VR glasses provides new perspectives even for seasoned travelers.

Does the future of travel live in Äänekoski? 

Äänekoski has a wealth of expertise in utilizing different technologies and producing digital products. From Pohjoisen Keski-Suomen ammattikoulusta, i.e., Poke, many new experts in VR implementations are graduating again this spring. Virtual solutions are a new direction both in tourism and in other fields. It takes skilled people, and fortunately here in Äänekoski we have what's needed.  

The project makes it possible to experiment with producing different virtual products. Virtual products make it possible to experience things from afar. The intention is not that after experiencing a virtual product, the customer no longer wants to come to Äänekoski, but rather to highlight what makes the area appealing and spark the customer's interest in Äänekoski. When it is possible to travel freely in the country again, Äänekoski will already feel partly familiar, which is why people will want to come here to experience many other great experiences as well.