The future of travel looks like science fiction

The days of relying on teletext for last minute deals are gone. From holiday inspiration to making a booking, the future of travel lies firmly online. But even this is changing.

I’ve spotted a trend: we don’t simply base our bookings on great deals anymore (though these do help!). Whilst at Expedia, I’ve noticed that more and more holidaymakers want to guarantee they’ll be getting an authentic experience: local produce, authentic digs and adventures they’ll never forget. Traditionally, this is nothing I couldn’t uncover without a good bit of internet trawling, but with the rise of virtual reality, I think I can go one step further.

Picture the scene: I can pop on a headset and stand on top of Iceland’s Gulfoss waterfall, or, perhaps, Peru’s Machu Picchu. I could even find myself wandering the bustling streets of an Asian city, where the tourist industry may or may not have taken away some of the local charm.

Fully immersive VR has the potential to captivate potential travellers with style and substance, offering true-to-life expectations and matching wearers to their ideal experience.

Get the full story at the Expedia blog