How the Tourism Sector Can Offer Tech Solutions to Combat Against the Impact of Coronavirus

by Startacus Admin

In order to combat some of the impact caused by the coronavirus, many tourism companies are, or could, turn to tech solutions.

Here's a few new and existing tech focused innovations, care of the team at luggage storage app Bounce, that might offer up some inspiration to others.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the coronavirus has impacted the entire world. 

With most countries in various stages of lock-down, many forms of travel have been prohibited. In any case, taking a holiday is quickly moving down the list of priorities for most people as we practice social distancing and work to keep our loved ones safe. 

As a result of these necessary changes, the tourism sector has been hit hard. Nobody is flying, staying at hotels or visiting tourist attractions. The worst part is that we don’t know how long this will last. A couple of months, six months, a year? The situation is entirely unprecedented.

And, this is also why we need to adapt even more in the face of adversity.

This is where technology comes in. 

In order to combat some of the impact caused by the coronavirus, many tourism companies are turning to tech solutions. You may be missing out on your European summer holiday or other planned vacation, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all of the attractions. 

Fancy a visit to the Uffizi Gallery to see the iconic David statue? Maybe the Palace of Versailles is more your style? 

If you’re stuck in your house, what better way to keep yourself occupied than taking a trip around the world all from the comfort of your couch.

Virtual Tours

Many tourist attractions forced to close down throughout this tumultuous period are now offering virtual tours so that we can enjoy their site while safely hunkered down in our homes. This is a great way to keep consistent interest in their attraction, while ensuring the business stays front of mind for people as we wait out the virus. 

With everything from museums to national parks offering virtual tours, there is something to suit every traveller’s taste.

Museums

A number of museums are offering virtual tours, with a significant number of their displays available online.

If you need a museum fix during quarantine, try:

Russia’s State Hermitage Museum - St. Petersburg, Russia

British Museum - London, England

African American History and Culture- Washington D.C., USA

Art Galleries

Need some inspiration to get you through isolation? Try visiting one of these iconic galleries. 

All of these galleries have an impressive portion of their collections available to view virtually:

Musée d’Orsay - Paris, France

Uffizi Gallery - Florence, Italy

Johannesburg Art Gallery - Johannesburg, South Africa

National Gallery Victoria - Melbourne, Australia

Cultural Sites

Just because you're confined to your house doesn’t mean you can’t see some of the world’s most iconic cultural sites.

The following offer excellent virtual tours to keep you entertained during lock-down:

Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France

The White House - Washington D.C., USA

The Sistine Chapel - Vatican City, Italy

The Prambanan Temple - Yogyakarta, Indonesia

National Parks

National Parks Service (NPS) 

The NPS provides access to a number of popular sites in the USA through their virtual tours. From the Statue of Liberty to Yellowstone National Park, this is a great option for lovers of the outdoors who are feeling trapped in their home.

Google Arts and Culture

Google offers virtual tours for sites all over the world. If you’ve got wanderlust, why not explore the Pyramids in Egypt? Or head over to Japan and (virtually) trek Mt. Fuji.

Live Streaming

With most tourist attractions currently resembling ghost towns and an eerie emptiness to them, there’s no real point to live streaming. That being said, a few zoos and aquariums have provided live streaming access so visitors from all over the world can check in on the animals and break up their isolation periods. 

In some cities, zoos are a major tourist attraction. Live streaming for these places is the perfect way to engage travellers who cannot physically visit their premises.

Melbourne Zoo - Melbourne, Australia

In response to their closures, Melbourne Zoo has set up a number of live cams to create some joy in the world. The snow leopard cubs have been a big hit!

Smithsonian National Zoo - Washington D.C., USA

If you love pandas, this one’s for you. Smithsonian National Zoo has live streaming of its two giant pandas - Tian Tian and Mei Xiang - so you can watch their daily antics.

Monterey Bay Aquarium - Monterey Bay, USA

For those of you looking for something soothing to distract you from the chaos of our current reality, check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium “Jelly Cam”. The movement of jellyfish moving about the water is actually quite relaxing. 

Port Phillip Bay - Victoria, Australia

Not a zoo or an aquarium, but a worthy tourist-destination nonetheless. The livestreaming from Port Phillip Bay will have you imagining warm waters and happier times as you experience the buzz of the underwater world. 

There’s no denying that the tourism industry has buckled under the pressure of the coronavirus, but these tech solutions are helping travelers travel virtually and visit sites all over the world. Keep your traveler’s cup full and make sure to take full advantage of all the modern technology of our world and stay connected

Bounce is a luggage storage service that offers safe, affordable, short-term luggage storage all across North America with the convenience of an app.

Simply book online, drop off your stuff, and go enjoy exploring the city without being encumbered by all your burdensome luggage. It’s easy to travel hands-free at Bounce!

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Published on: 25th March 2020