Travel Africa

Page 31

erse Change the Future of Travel? By LARK GOULD

revenue share in the global market as awareness grows about potential of the metaverse to alter the dynamics of consumer experience in choosing destinations, attractions and accommodations, according to Emergen. Virtual reality and augmented reality and metaverse platforms will enable users to experience destinations without physically traveling to the location they desire, and allow them to glimpse the experience that hotels and resorts can bring. Thus, test driving different trips and excursions is expected not to supplant bookings but encourage them, the report says. There are drawbacks besides timing in the building and adoption of this form of entertainment. Not only are these projects slow and complicated – a lot goes into the 3-D mapping of places, spaces and destinations – but the use of the required goggles that can access these new lands reportedly cause dizziness, nausea, fatigue and may even lead to physical injury. Questions remain, as well, about the privacy elements users might be sacrificing. Key players in this evolving field so far are: The Boeing Company, Mytaverse, Marriott International, First Airlines, LynKey, Ariva, Color Star Technology Co. Ltd., Powerbridge Technologies Co., Ltd., Beyondvision Cultural Development Co., Ltd., Meta Platforms. Inc., Google LLC and Microsoft Corporation. Former Disney CEO Robert Iger, too, is going all in with a metaverse-based enterprise through a company called Genies, a 3D avatar start-up that allows users to create their own custom digital avatars or personal metaverse personalities for their social media profiles and for travel in this space. Airlines are looking into the channel of metaverse travel as a selling feature for premium seating, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of what first or business class flying feels like with the hope that

once tried they may never want to return to the economy cabin. Hotels are expected to be able to showcase rooms and suites, and shower visitors with a dazzling resort experience that will tip their choices in booking options. Meanwhile, metaverse channels are moving into becoming decentralized autonomous organizations powered by blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. That could mean being able to pay for chosen experiences and travel preferences in cryptos like Bitcoin or Ethereum, even while in the alternative landscape. The NFTs, or personal nonfungible tokens we see now making so much buzz in artsy creations and trading across the Internet, become an ideal digital asset for travel companies to use in representing such products as airline tickets and hotel bookings. As NFTs are actually crypto assets buyers can store in their crypto wallet, they then have whatever they need for traveling in the real world, such as money, airline tickets, and hotel reservations stored in a single place. Travel advisors may become metaverse concierges and meet their clients in this universe to manage their travel experience avatar to avatar, creating new ways to fashion the trip and add upsells for clients as they move through their vacations. Currently, as metaverse travel technology edges through the starting stages of physical development, there are few places or ways to explore the metaverse in motion. A start-up called Ariva may be one place to begin. The travel company offers tours and travel products for prices and purchase in cryptocurrencies on several exchanges. In its next move, the company is developing a concept called Ariva Wonderland, and although few details are available, they do offer this teaser. Make of it what you will. As the world wends its way down the next rabbit hole, it is best to know what to expect and what characters you may meet there. https://www.businesstravelerusa.com/businesstraveler-usa-story/will-metaverse-change-thefuture-of-the-travel

31 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2022


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African Cuisine! Republic of Reunion

6min
pages 77-79

Golf Africa

4min
pages 72-76

Ski Africa

4min
pages 70-71

Travel Africa

5min
pages 64-69

Park Rangers Enter Fray in West Africa’s Battle with Militants

7min
pages 56-59

Cruising - RV African Dream

1min
pages 60-61

WORLD HERITAGE SITES

4min
pages 62-63

Netfl ix’s New Reality Series ‘Young Famous and African’ Highlights All Things African Luxury

2min
pages 54-55

Here are the Top Exciting, Cheap (and Overlooked) African Countries to Move Abroad

6min
pages 50-53

Your Top Questions About Moving to Ghana Answered

4min
pages 48-49

Packing Tips from the Experts on Maximizing Space

9min
pages 44-46

JW Marriott to Open First Luxury Safari Retreat in Kenya in 2023

2min
page 47

Jessica Nabongo: First Black Woman to Visit All 195 Countries to Release Book in June

1min
page 42

Black & Abroad - Talk the Importance of Black Luxury Travel

7min
pages 38-41

Sleep In Africa: The Instagram Account Helping People Find Black-Owned Accommodations Across Africa

5min
pages 36-37

Rick Ross Receives Warm Welcome in Angola, Blesses Local Residents

1min
page 35

Travelers Will No Longer be Restricted

1min
page 43

Wind Down at These Six Luxurious Wine Resorts Around the World (focus: 2 South Africa wine resorts)

1min
page 34

‘Chef of the Year’ Wandile Mabaso

4min
pages 32-33

8 Visa-Free African Countries for U.S

3min
pages 26-28

Travel Infl uencer Cedtripping Takes 20 Travelers to Zanzibar

2min
page 25

Will Metaverse Change the Future of Travel?

3min
page 31

7 Most Visited African Countries by International Tourists, According to Latest Available Stats

4min
pages 22-24

Business Travel is Growing on Ethiopian Airlines’ Busy US Routes

3min
pages 18-19

Nigerian Airlines Halt Operations Over Rising Jet Fuel Costs

2min
page 21

Ten African Languages Added to Google Translate

5min
pages 29-30

The US Extends its Aviation Mask Mandate Despite Growing Opposition

2min
page 17

How to Create a Smart Budget for the Comeback of Business Travel

4min
pages 14-15

South Africa Relaxes COVID-19 Restrictions in Hopes of Boosting Tourism Industry

1min
page 16

Expansion in Asia and Africa: TUI Blue set to Grow to 300+ Hotels Worldwide

3min
pages 11-12

New Booking Systems Signal Next Step for Blockchain

2min
page 13

South African Airline Comair’s Fleet Grounded Indefi nitely

2min
page 10

United Airlines Teams Up with Travel Company to Book Curated Travel Experiences in Africa

2min
page 8

Zimbabwe’s Air Zim Expects to Join IATA in 3 Months

2min
page 9

From the Publisher

7min
pages 4-7
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