While Mark Zuckerberg continues to believe in the metaverse, the virtual reality (VR) market is struggling to really take off. However, this technology has possible applications in tourism. In any case, this is what emerges from a global study carried out by Booking.com. This survey made it possible to question 24,179 people in 32 countries, including France.
Among the main conclusions, we note in particular that 43% of those questioned wish to book their next vacation following a visit made in VR. They could thus verify their rental location using this type of technology.
Some go even further, and 35% of respondents believe that a simulated experience over several days could quite simply replace a real vacation without having to make the slightest trip. But this option does not appeal to everyone, and 60% of respondents believe that it would be very far from a very real tourist getaway.
This survey also revealed that 46% of respondents believe that destinations they had not thought of at first sight could make them want to after using virtual reality. The future will confirm this, but as the VR market grows, there could therefore be a real impact on the tourism sector.
The influence of streaming platforms on tourism is undeniable
In any case, we have already seen in the past that technological developments have an impact on holiday choices. This happens in particular thanks to streaming platforms. Last year, Netflix conducted its own study by asking its subscribers in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and France, about productions set in South Africa: the documentary My Octopus Teacher and the series Blood & Water.
The conclusions are clear, since users who have viewed these productions are 3.1 times more likely to come and visit the country than those who have not. Similarly, they are 5.6 times more motivated than other subscribers to the idea of learning Afrikaans, one of the 11 official languages of South Africa.
To explain these results, Shola Sanni, director of public policy for Netflix for sub-Saharan Africa, then specified: “They saw themselves reflected in these stories. An American viewer said he felt people in South Africa had the same aspirations and life experiences as those in his country. »
For your part, how do you decide where to vacation, and do you feel influenced by the film industry? Tell us in the comments.