I’ll be honest — the idea of “virtual tourism” used to sound kind of ridiculous to me. Like, why would I want to stare at a screen and pretend I’m somewhere else when I could just, I don’t know, wait until I could go there?

That was me, pre-2020.

Then the pandemic hit, and well, like everyone else, I was stuck inside. I was craving something — anything — that felt different from my living room walls. One night, I ended up watching this random VR tour of Florence. Just clicked on it out of boredom. Next thing I know, I’m moving through narrow Italian streets, hearing the soft chatter of people, distant music, birds, mopeds — all of it. I legit got goosebumps when the view opened to the Duomo.

And suddenly, I got it.

What Even Is Virtual Tourism?

Okay, so it’s not just a fancy slideshow. Virtual tourism is like this whole mix of tech — 360-degree video, VR headsets, audio tours, sometimes even AI guides. It’s meant to feel like you’re there, even though you’re clearly sitting in your kitchen eating cereal at 11 p.m.

At first, I thought it was just a trend, something people would use when they couldn’t travel for real. But it’s more than that. I started checking out more of these tours — national parks, historical places, underwater stuff (which, honestly, I would’ve never done IRL because I can’t swim for crap). Every time, I felt like I was escaping — in the best way.

It’s Blowing Up (For Good Reason)

So, here’s the crazy part. I read this report recently by Roots Analysis, and it kind of blew my mind. According to them, the global virtual tourism market is set to jump from $4.51 billion in 2024 to $45.65 billion by 2035. That’s a massive leap. Like, ten times bigger. We’re talking a compound annual growth rate of 23.41% over the next decade or so.

That’s not just a bunch of bored people looking at castles online. That’s a movement.

Why Are People Hooked

Let’s be real — travels expensive. Flights, hotels, food, all that stuff adds up fast. And it’s not always doable. Maybe someone’s got mobility issues. Maybe they’ve got anxiety. Maybe they just don’t have the time.

Virtual tourism opens it up for more people. You want to “visit” Egypt at 2 a.m. on a Wednesday? Go for it. No tickets, no lines, no sunburn. And if you get bored, boom — you're out in one click. Try doing that at the airport.

It’s also just kind of... relaxing. Sometimes I’ll load up a walk-through of Kyoto or a beach in Greece and just let it play in the background. It feels like a brain reset. No pressure, no itinerary. Just vibes.

Does It Replace Real Travel? Nah. But...

Look, nothing beats being there. The food, the smells, the random people you meet — that stuff’s magic. But virtual tourism isn’t trying to replace it. It’s just something different. Like a new layer of experience.

Plus, it’s only getting better. Some of the stuff people are building now has live weather updates, customizable paths, even little interactive things where you click on objects to learn more. I saw one where you could explore the Colosseum with a friend in multiplayer mode — like, both of you are “there” at the same time, chatting as you walk through it.

Kinda wild.

Final Thought

So yeah, I was skeptical at first. But now? I’m all in. Virtual tourism gave me a little freedom when I felt stuck. It helped me learn, chill out, and get curious about the world again. And honestly, it’s just fun.

Try it. Next time you’re bored or stressed, take a 10-minute “trip” somewhere. Pick a place you’ve never been. You might be surprised by how real it feels — and how good it makes you feel.

References:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1150388298574774750/

https://git.consulting.aspose.com/jhanvikukreja416/roots/-/issues/1

https://stackblitz.com/@jhanvi001654

https://md.swk-web.com/s/a_VyUxe2W

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https://create.piktochart.com/output/2266b696024c-blank-template

https://profreeads.com/?view=showad&adid=730183&cityid=569

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