What if we could virtually enjoy the majesty of the Great Wall of China from the comfort of our own homes? The increasingly ubiquitous metaverse makes possible vacation experiences that are radically different from what we're used to. And while it's easy to argue that the real world will always dwarf the virtual world (especially when it comes to travel), the truth is that many people are not averse to vacations in the metaverse at all.
According to a recent study conducted in Germany by Bitkom , 21% of people expect to be able to travel abroad in the metaverse by 2030. Among young people aged 16 to 29, this proportion rises to 26%, while among people aged 65 and over, it plummets to just 15%.
However, and despite the fact that virtual travel has many possibilities within it, most people (87%) assume that tourism in its most traditional form will continue to play a leading role in the future.
The digitalization of tourism is absolutely unstoppable
“In the metaverse, we can rediscover the world and have experiences that would not be possible in reality. Virtual trips to the depths of the ocean or to bygone eras are perfectly possible in the metaverse and we can also enjoy them in the company of other people,” explains Bernard Rohleder, CEO of Biktom. “Moreover, even if the trips do not actually take place in virtual territories, jordan number data digital devices and the Internet are already an integral part of most people’s holidays,” he adds.
today, will become even more pronounced in the coming years. 66% of consumers predict that online travel booking platforms will dominate the tourism world by 2030. However, a much less promising future awaits traditional travel agencies. 65% predict that they will languish and eventually die. Among young people aged 16 to 29, this proportion even rises to 75%.
It is also worth noting that today more people book their holidays through online platforms (53%) than through traditional agencies and tour operators (45%).
Sustainability is also taking root in the tourism industry and is already being reflected in the habits of travellers. 44% of consumers would even agree to pay a surcharge to compensate for the damage their travel inflicts on the environment. However, the same proportion of consumers (44%) will not make any changes to their travel habits in favour of sustainability .
Yet 16% of people are already feeling the pinch of flight shame, and 30% take the trouble to find out about airlines' climate protection measures before booking a trip.