Virtual Worlds, Real Memories: AR/VR's Promise for Tourism
Augmented and virtual reality offer immense potential to revolutionize experiences in the travel and tourism industry.
By transporting users to far-flung destinations or augmenting real-world environments, AR/VR enables tourism companies to captivate customers in more immersive ways.
However, effectively leveraging these emerging technologies poses some significant challenges. Tourism organizations must implement the right strategies to overcome obstacles and successfully unlock AR/VR’s possibilities.
At HAAMI, our technology experts partner with tourism enterprises to plan and execute AR/VR solutions tailored to their needs. Here we explore major barriers to AR/VR adoption and proven methods to address them:
High Development Costs
Creating custom 3D environments and assets is demanding for AR/VR developers, making initial content production expensive. However, smart strategies can overcome cost barriers:
Take an agile approach to scale content iteratively based on proven value. Start small with a minimum viable product.
Leverage 3D model libraries and AR/VR content marketplaces to repurpose existing assets instead of reinventing the wheel.
Use game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine to streamline development with prebuilt environments, materials and tools.
When outsourcing, use agile contracts rewarding suppliers for performance milestones reached.
Technical Expertise Required
Developing immersive AR/VR requires specialized skills like 3D modeling, 360 media production, and spatial computing. Tourism players can close expertise gaps with the following tactics:
Train in-house developers on AR/VR skills and tools through focused bootcamps.
Hire dedicated AR/VR talent even for short-term projects to transfer knowledge.
Partner with experienced AR/VR consultancies providing end-to-end technical capabilities.
Foster a culture of experimentation and learning-by-doing around emerging technologies.
Difficulty Achieving Realistic Interactions
AR/VR cannot yet mimic real-life perfectly. But various techniques can increase realism:
Incorporate natural user inputs like voice, gestures and eye-tracking to interact more intuitively.
Add realistic visual details like shadows and reflections tied to user perspective.
Apply game principles to develop logical rules governing interactions and physics.
Creatively blend simulated elements with real-world props users can touch and manipulate.
Technology Limitations
While AR/VR technology continues advancing rapidly, some constraints remain around field-of-view, graphics, controls, and ergonomics.
Here are ways to enhance experiences within current technical boundaries:
Cleverly design scenarios accommodating limited user movement and interaction.
Keep performance optimizations top of mind during 3D modeling to maintain framerates.
Use stylized graphics over photorealism to set expectations and simplify development.
Make interactions accessible to users unfamiliar with controllers through thoughtful tutorials.
Prioritize Comfort
Discomfort from issues like VR sickness impedes user adoption. Consider these best practices:
Avoid sudden motions and incorporate fixed reference points in the field-of-view to reduce disorientation.
Let users control speed and customize snap turning to accommodate differences in sensitivity.
Limit continual acceleration and deceleration during virtual movement.
Keep UI elements fixed in central vision to minimize eye strain.
Develop with comfort as a priority, playtesting extensively before release.
Infrastructure Demands
AR/VR places significant demands on computing power, storage and networks. Strategies for overcoming infrastructure constraints include:
Using light-weight 3D model formats without compromising too much visual quality.
Applying optimization techniques like occlusion culling, baked lighting and compressing renders.
Rendering expansive scenes in segments anchored around user proximity.
Designing to target minimum viable specs to broaden reach of experiences.
Using cloud rendering and streaming tech to offload heavy processing from devices.
Integration Challenges
Integrating AR/VR initiatives with existing IT systems and data can prove difficult. Best practices for smooth integration include:
Mapping dependencies early and planning APIs for interoperability from the start.
Taking an API-first approach allowing AR/VR components to plug into other systems.
Building on proven platforms with out-of-the-box integrations like Microsoft Dynamics.
Appointing dedicated integration specialists familiar with both AR/VR and enterprise architectures.
User Learning Curve
Customers may struggle initially interacting with unfamiliar AR/VR interfaces. Tourism companies can ease the learning process through:
Intuitive design using natural interactions and progressive disclosure of advanced functionality.
Contextual instructions and tooltips guiding users during the experience.
In-app tutorials demonstrating how to navigate, interact and access key features.
Experiential retail allowing hands-on experimentation under employee guidance.
While adopting AR/VR poses challenges, from high costs to technical barriers, HAAMI’s experts can help tourism enterprises chart the optimal path forward. We take a consultative approach assessing your needs and devising tailored solutions leveraging the right strategies to deliver maximum value.
Our technical capabilities, industry experience and agile methodologies empower organizations to bring immersive experiences successfully to market and enjoy the benefits of travel’s next frontier.
Partner with us today to make AR/VR’s exciting future for tourism a reality.
