Virtual reality has broken through and it's the latest form of new tech that's on the rise. VR really did start from humble beginnings... Can you believe it has been around since the 1990's? A handful of VR enthusiasts believed that the concept would be one to pursue in the near future, but alas - technology wasn't exactly cutting edge back then.
So the idea remained, and the concept was still promising, but VR didn't take off again until one revolutionist by the name of Palmer Luckey, pulled the pieces together and brought Oculus rift to life.
This really put VR at the forefront, which led to Facebook purchasing Oculus VR in 2014 for over 2 billion dollars. Safe to say the future looks rather promising! We think it's gonna be a game changer, especially in the travel world. This is why.
1. Redefine the experience
It’s simple really (kind of). You see, virtual reality uses computer graphics, algorithms, and lenses which will reconfigure the picture as you move to give it that lifelike feeling. The concept is simple – you “put some goggles on, go nowhere, and be transported anywhere.” Whether your head turns left or right, it will feel as though you’re in a 360 degree world. It’s a powerful medium to bring storytelling to life, so that you can experience a moment, a place, a country, a feeling. The thing about virtual reality is that you can quite literally imagine infinite possibilities to make the world more open and connected. VR opens that gate for many individuals, to move beyond what we’re used to with photos, videos and your mobile phones, into a full immersive, live experience. It’s almost a real 3D world, like nothing you’ve ever seen before unless of course – you’ve been there and done that.<
What happens in VR, is that it’s all in the mind. If you can dream it, VR can achieve it. It’s about living in that moment, long after it’s passed or before it’s even begun.
2. Transport you to another place
Seeing the world just got a whole lot easier, or at least a whole lot cheaper (if you’re willing to fork out for a headset). Of course it won’t ever be the same as actually being in another country or place, but it’s probably as close as you’ll get before the real thing begins. Oculus VR was purchased by Facebook in 2014, and if it’s anything like the rise of Facebook, it can only mean one thing…it’s going to continually improve with time. VR has brought on new possibilities in the travel world, blurring the lines between reality as users get to experience real-life moments that before they’d have to travel half way round the world to experience, from cliff jumping along the Amalfi coast, to standing on the edge of the grand canyon or seeing what a night out in Vegas would look like. Quite literally, it will teleport you to another place, time and moment. Sort of like ping power, without the ping.
3. Experience a 360 degree view
Love panoramic views? Contiki have completely integrated virtual reality into filming their video content, available for you to try first hand and experience moments from all over the world. Most recently, Contiki Legends was shot with Devin Supertramp and his team off the Amalfi coast in Italy. VR was used for the first time by the Supertramp team, and they loved the experience! However, you don’t necessarily need a headset to experience a 360 degree view. In fact, you can watch the amazing footage on a desktop or mobile. But for the full effect, we recommend using your mobile so that you can move your phone around.
The 360 degree view includes FULL panoramic vision, which puts YOU at the centre of the action. It’s best viewed on Chrome, Firefox or YouTube for mobile users. Check out our first 360 video here. Or simply watch the behind the scenes footage below: