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SITEnetwork has announced a new initiative that combines Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to change the way people experience global tourism.
Using Enjin blockchain technology, the project will create virtual replicas of real cities for visitors to explore and interact with others.
SITEnetwork has already designed several virtual worlds that mimic real-world locations. One example is Metinburgh, a digital recreation of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is currently preparing for its closed-alpha phase. The first area to be digitized in Metinburgh is Castlehill, located at the base of Edinburgh Castle
Another project is Metahattan, developed in partnership with Parallel Worlds. This virtual twin aims to capture the lively culture of New York City.
Within these virtual experiences, users can take part in gamified activities, win digital items, and carry these assets across different experiences.
The concept of using the metaverse to boost tourism is not new. It offers the opportunity for people to experience destinations virtually before booking trips and helps overcome physical limitations such as distance.
For instance, last month, Wales became the first UK region to enter the metaverse for tourism, offering virtual experiences that replicate real-life attractions.
Web3 technologies have also been used to revive areas that are either abandoned or not typically tourist-friendly. Last month, Gifu, a city in central Japan, introduced its famous castle to the metaverse, allowing global visitors to explore it virtually.
In addition to these examples, the Shanghai government last year announced plans to use metaverse technologies for tourism and cultural development. More recently, Digital Dubai, in collaboration with ITU and UNICC, launched the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds (GIVW) to advance metaverse solutions in urban planning, tourism, and education.
The global metaverse tourism market is expected to grow significantly. According to a report by Facts & Factors, the metaverse in the travel and tourism market is projected to reach approximately $220.8 billion by 2028.
