Will virtually reality will completely transform tourism sector?

Recently, I came across incredible developments and advancements that are being made in the field of virtual reality. And, it is not that the said technology is being used only in a very limited fashion. Nor is the virtual reality tech deployment only in initial stages. There are international competitions happening in the field of VR gaming. People can choose to go shopping in different parts of the world using VR. It seems that tourism will be no exception to the trend. The lock down caused by COVID-19 has highlighted that travel can be completely brought to a halt because of reasons there are beyond the control of mankind. Even if the reasons assailing the dynamics of travelling and tourism could be brought completely under the control of mankind, VR seems to be a very efficient and highly plausible alternative to the real-life tourism and related activities. 

In fact, human beings are increasingly, as I have already mention in my previous blogs, interacting with reality through technology and, thus, VR seems to be the only logical next step in the organic evolution of tourism industry. Not only it will rely less on logistics and supply chain but also put less pressure on the economies of the countries that are spending too much money in maintaining various aspects related to tourism. 

Teleporting cannot be discarded as science fiction, for quantum physics might make it possible one day. Also there are many speculations that high-speed vehicles will be available in the future to make travel a matter of few minutes. but in that case the question is: would people prefer to move physically to different parts of the world if they can literally experience it in every possible way and science through virtual reality? Also the economic condition of the people is likely to assume new dimensions because the mainstream economic activity will primarily absorb artificial intelligent system and machines. Hence, people will not be able to afford travelling to different parts of the world using credit or Fiat currency.

The above proposition entails huge intellectual property rights related issues that have roots in geographical, cultural and other tourism oriented aspects of countries. Also, there are many issues that relate to taxation in the tourism sector. 

In view of the aforementioned, it becomes all the more plausible and economically efficient that VR technology completely over hauls the tourism sector.

Paramjeet Singh Berwal

Paramjeet, a lawyer, an invited lecturer, and AI research and policy consultant, is the Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Technology Law at Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University, Georgia. He is a Global Panelist with MIT Technology Review. He is frequently invited to deliver talks and presentations on various topics pertaining to AI. His research includes how AI will influence human existence, especially in the context of economy, work, law, society and its institutions, business management, social behaviour and policy making. He may be contacted at berwallaw@gmail.com

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