Can Virtual Reality technology be used to enhance Museum immersive experiences for visitors?

Virtual reality (VR) technology has the potential to revolutionize the way museums operate in the tourism sector. VR technology uses computer technology to create a simulated environment that can be experienced by a user through sensory stimuli (such as sight, sound, touch, etc.) as if they were physically present in that environment. Globally, VR technology has become common in the context of entertainment, however, its application nowadays is stretching across industries such as automotive, education, healthcare, and tourism.

As a technophile, I do agree with other proponents of digital technology that VR gadgets will one day be as cheap and easily accessible as a smartphone. Simply because different companies such as Meta have already invested heavily in VR. In China, Tencent, a large multinational conglomerate, is a company that has been actively involved in the development of VR technology and has filed a significant number of patents in these areas. Tencent ranks second in the world in terms of the number of VR and AR-related patents filed, behind Samsung. Further, China has become a significant player in the virtual reality (VR) market in recent years, largely due to the enthusiasm of Chinese consumers for emerging technologies, the early adoption of 5G technology, and the increased government support for technological self-reliance.

VR technology has been seen as a highly effective way to provide immersive and engaging information about museum collections. The technology can be used as a Marketing tool for the museum websites that can be used to encourage travelers to visit the actual museum. Some recent studies show that the tour experiences through VR confirmed tourists’ intentions to revisit after experiencing immersive technologies. Here are five ways in which virtual reality (VR) technology can be used to improve museum tourism:

1. Virtual reality exhibits: VR technology can be used to create interactive exhibits that allow visitors to explore and learn about historical events in a more engaging and immersive way. For example, VR technology can be used to create virtual reality exhibits that allow visitors to “step back in time” and experience what it was like to live in a different era or place. Hahaha just Imagine, experiencing the reality of how the emperor enjoyed life with his empress and concubines in the forbidden city of Beijing.

2. Virtual tours: VR technology can be used to create virtual tours of museum exhibits and artifacts, allowing visitors to explore and learn about them in more detail. This can be especially useful for visitors with mobility issues, as it allows them to experience the museum without the need to physically travel to the location. Further, VR can be used as a substitute for dangerous tourism sites that may be too logistically challenging to visit in person.

3. Educational experiences: VR technology can be used to create interactive educational experiences that teach visitors about different subjects more engagingly and interactively. For example, VR technology can be used to create virtual reality educational games or simulations that teach visitors about the history or other issues of the museum in a more interactive and immersive way.

4. Virtual reality events: VR technology can be used to host virtual reality events at museums, such as concerts, lectures, or other cultural events. This can allow museums to attract a wider audience and provide more diverse experiences for visitors. Imagine, the Forbidden City has more than 9,000 rooms, as such, it is not likely that it would be possible to sleep in all of the rooms at the Forbidden City, even over a period of 20 years. With VR technology one could enjoy the experience of sleeping in some of the rooms during the events taking place virtually.