Write an article about
Augmented reality (AR) still plays a comparatively small role within the travel industry, especially compared with its cousin, virtual reality (VR). But since it represents a lower barrier to entry on the buyer end, it is a technology that experts expect will grow in each capability and adoption.
While VR tends to immerse a user in content with the help of a headset — either a lower-end version like Google Cardboard or a high-end set like Facebook’s Oculus Rift — AR combines reality with digital content, oftentimes employing a tool like a smartphone. It may also appear on wearable devices, like glasses (Google Glass was an early example of overlaying technology on real surroundings).
In a report titled “Tech’s Fourth Wave Meets Travel: What’s Next for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality?” Phocuswright senior research analyst Cathy Walsh wrote, “Augmented reality superimposes digital content onto the user’s view of the actual world. In a basic version of AR, users may even see objects or information floating in front of their environment, while more sophisticated AR will integrate objects into real-world surroundings.”
AR arguably first hit the mainstream in force last summer when Niantic released its popular mobile game, Pokemon Go, which enables users to catch digital monsters superimposed over an actual camera view on a smartphone.
But the technology’s adoption throughout the travel industry has been slow.
“AR really almost doesn’t exist throughout the travel industry without delay, no less than in any form of application that a consumer or a travel agent would see,” said industry analyst Henry Harteveldt, founding father of Atmosphere Research Group.
Harteveldt estimated it that it will take two to 3 years for adoption of AR to hit critical mass for travel purposes.Â
“Part of the challenge is the price of development, and a part of the challenge is determining, OK, what’s interesting and what’s noteworthy that I can use for whatever industrial purposes?” he said.
One speed bump is that wearable devices with AR functionality have yet to return to market.
However, as Walsh’s report points out, “There are signs that time to rapid development in the approaching years.” In particular, she wrote, Pokemon Go’s success suggests that “the fitting product can fuel rapid adoption of augmented reality.”
All of mTrip Mobile Solutions’ apps include augmented reality functionality, overlaying points of interest like restaurants and attractions using a smartphone’s camera view.
At the moment, several firms throughout the travel industry are offering apps that feature AR functionality, resembling mTrip Mobile Solutions and CN2.
MTrip’s first offerings were destination-specific guide apps. Today, the corporate has expanded and develops apps for the likes of destination marketing organizations and tour operators. Carole Moreira, head of business development, said all the corporate’s apps include AR functions.
Using a smartphone’s camera view, mTrip’s apps overlay points of interest and attractions on top of a real-world view.
Moreira admitted AR is commonly an advanced concept for travel firms to grasp.
“It stays, for a lot of decision-makers, an additional, the cherry on top of the cake,” she said. “It’s not the cake.”
At Collette, one in every of mTrip’s clients, Tom Gavriluk, director of digital marketing, said the app’s AR functionality was not what initially attracted the tour operator to mTrip. Instead, it was its overall functionality. The Collette Compass app developed by mTrip includes things like itineraries, offline destination information content and a visit journal. However, Collette’s clients have enjoyed the app’s AR functionality, he said, using it during free time to explore and experience local cultures.
“The travel industry has only scratched the surface in its use of mobile technology enhancing the guests’ tour experience before, during and after,” Gavriluk said. “An enormous a part of the push to get this accomplished was Collette’s desire to be early to market and supply our guests with something the competition couldn’t.”
CN2 developed Visit Orlando’s app, which launched last summer. In addition to other functionality, it includes an AR component with map overlays stating things like nearby attractions and dining.
It also includes artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities; combined with AR, it puts Visit Orlando’s app in a “unique space,” said Elaine Blazys, the destination marketing organization’s associate vice chairman of travel industry sales. App users are engaging with each features, she said, which “add an unexpected twist to their vacation experience.”
“Looking ahead,” Blazys said, “I expect that AR and AI will proceed to be essential, each to us as a destination that’s all the time pushing the envelope on innovation, and in the general travel space as technology continues to evolve and audiences look for brand new ways to boost their destination experience.”
Margaret Martin, CEO of CN2, called Visit Orlando an “early adopter” of AR technology in travel, though she has seen more interest in AR of late from the industry. Martin said she has also noticed an uptick in publicity around AR technology in addition to an increased give attention to it from large technology firms resembling Apple and Facebook.
“I actually imagine that a key driver for all of that’s the mass adoption of the smartphone and of tablets, and this medium being very consumable with the devices that individuals have on them today,” Martin said. “They haven’t got to purchase something latest.”
make it easy to read for teens.Organize the content with appropriate headings and subheadings (h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6) and made content unique. Include conclusion section and don’t include the title. it must return only article i dont want any extra information or introductory text with article e.g: ” Here is rewritten article:” or “Here is the rewritten content:”
