Travel Journals
Is virtual travel here to stay, even after the pandemic subsides?
This Earth Day, people who usually celebrate by heading outdoors might need to rely on virtual tours instead. It will be a fitting opportunity to experience a technology that some experts have advanced as an eco-friendly solution to the problem of overtourism.
With about 90 percent of the world under a travel restriction, many would-be adventurers are turning to virtual reality (VR) to bring them to Machu Picchu or the Galápagos Islands. The potential for this technology to ease tourism’s carbon footprint is clear, underscored by some of the unexpected ecological benefits the coronavirus lockdown has surfaced—including cleaner air and water.
Even as it has eased pollution, the pandemic has been devastating for the tourism industry. But will interest in traveling virtually last beyond the pandemic? And will VR technology sustain growing interest?
More than a gimmick
For years, airlines, travel agencies, and tourism boards have used VR technology to market destinations to potential customers. Now, “the impact of COVID-19 may allow [virtual reality] to shake off its image of being a gimmick,” says Ralph Hollister, a tourism analyst at Global Data and author of a report on the VR travel industry.
Virtual travel experiences are seeing a surge in popularity. Valeriy Kondruk, CEO of VR travel company Ascape, has seen app downloads grow 60 percent from December (traditionally the busiest month) and double since January. The company has fielded increasing interest from educators and those working in nursing homes, Kondruk says, even as the airlines and travel agencies that usually license Ascape’s VR content have paused their accounts.
Photograph by Jonathan Irish, National Geographic Image Collection
Related: Had to cancel your vacation? Here’s what to do next.
Still, there’s a big gap between using virtual reality to “try before you buy” and treating virtual reality like the destination itself. To start with, the technology isn’t ready yet. 360-degree virtual reality videos are usually experienced through a headset (like Oculus Rift) or an app (like Google Cardboard). The headsets are expensive, heavy, can cause nausea, and aren’t comfortable to wear for more than 30 minutes. The apps have none of these problems, but simply aren’t as impressive, says Hollister.
Limited sensations are another hurdle. The videos focus on sounds and sights but can’t do much with smell, touch, or taste, and VR experiences tend to only be a few minutes long—hardly the equivalent of a two-week vacation in Spain. Of course, some researchers are working on ever-more-immersive VR features, including haptic suits, says Samuel Greengard, author of Virtual Reality. But while creating a full-body suit with enhanced sensory experiences might make a video of the Amazon or Antarctica more realistic, it still doesn’t fulfill the deeper needs that compel us to travel.
Roaming instinct
Tourists aren’t locals, and they aren’t business travelers. Tourists tend to be less directed in their explorations and more focused on new experiences and discoveries. “This simply can’t be recreated in virtual reality,” says Erick Ramirez, a philosopher at Santa Clara University who studies VR.
He compares the future of virtual travel to a classic thought experiment: Imagine that you could hook yourself up to an “experience machine” and simply feel happy forever. Philosopher Robert Nozick, who developed the experiment, “thinks nobody would want to be hooked up to such a thing,” Ramirez says. “I do think that there are some kinds of tourist experiences where the value in them is in the doing, not just in the seeing and hearing, and it’ll be tough for VR to replicate.”
We not only want to do things, we want to be the ones deciding what to do. On a fundamental level, virtual travel is constructed and fed to us; we see a world only to the extent that someone was able to film and engineer it. It is, as Ramirez puts it, “the most authoritarian of guided tours.”
Photograph by Sylvain Sonnet, Getty Images
Someone going to India for real can decide where to go and what to see. They can be surprised by themselves and by what they learn. Someone going to India via video might never see aspects that a VR production company obscures in order to create a more pleasant experience. “A tour that Elon Musk—just to pick on somebody—might design would look very different from what a working-class Indian living in India might design,” Ramirez says. “It’s important to keep that in mind as we go into these touristy VR experiences.”
Related: Meet the Indian women taking on a male-dominated travel industry.
For my part, I experienced VR travel in 2015, using Oculus to demo a short tour of the north coast of Vancouver, British Columbia. The demo was beautiful and looked similar to the real place, which I visited four years later. In other ways, though, there was little comparison. Part of the difference was sensual: the air was cold on my skin and I could touch the water. But much of the difference was the specificity of my own actual visit. In person, the experience was happening only to me, I had full control over what I was able to hear and see—and if I wanted, I could see and choose something else.
A green lining
Photograph by Idealink Photography, Alamy Stock Photo
Virtual reality may never replace traditional travel, but it still offers intriguing possibilities. If the technology becomes sophisticated enough, the more environmentally conscious among us—especially those aiming to reduce our carbon footprint (or people sensitive to flight-shaming)—might prefer this form of escape. VR travel does bring parts of the world to people who are physically unable to visit certain landmarks. Most of all, it could help bring people to places that are otherwise inaccessible.
Southern France is the site of some of the world’s earliest cave paintings, which are closed to the public because the Palaeolithic works are so delicate. Yet only four miles from the original a complete replica is on view. Ramirez suggests that virtual reality could be applied in a similar way—and even more accessible way—to sites around the world. Hollister, from Global Data, agrees that VR can play a unique role in recreating historic attractions. And Kondruk, the CEO of Ascape, says that the company has been working with Vietravel, a major Vietnamese travel agency, on recreating areas of the country where the government has limited tourist travel.
Related: See mesmerizing photos of Vietnam from above.
Ultimately, the impact of virtual reality on travel will be determined by the evolution and application of new technologies. So far, advances have been incremental—and not at a scale that is likely to disrupt the travel industry or support a drop in travel-related carbon emissions after the pandemic has ended. But just as travel platforms, from print to social media, offer some of the discoveries of actual exploration, virtual reality might bring faraway places closer—and in so doing encourage travelers to embrace sustainable practices wherever they choose to go (or not go) in the future.
Related: Scale the biggest trees on EarthDeep inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, a team of scientists are studying how these 3,000-year-old trees are reacting to sudden climate change.
Travel Journals
Experience The Best Of Isle Of Wight With The Real Ale Train’s Summer Of Heritage Travel And Local Ales
Friday, July 18, 2025
THE Isle of Wight Steam Railway is preparing for the return of its popular Real Ale Train event this Saturday. From 4 pm, enjoy Wootton, Havenstreet and Ashey, and Smallbrook Junction by train in a special evening of heritage power, barbecue and locally brewed beers. This much-loved event will provide a delicious combination of amazing cocktails, stunning journeys and nostalgia that will make you proud to be a local (or not!)GE!. Follow the secret path to an evening like no other, in the company of the best locals and adventurers.#TravelSick Nights!
Travelling on the steam train between the stations, the service will be a hop-on, hop-off offering between the four stations, all with their real ale bar. Featuring local produce, among each of the stations is a selection of Isle Of Wight beer, guest ales, ciders, and fresh cooked food, for people to meet, chat, and celebrate in an atmosphere that is warm and social.
Enjoy Local Beers and Ales
Not to mention an opportunity to enjoy some of the finest ales and ciders the Isle of Wight has to offer. The hosts have obtained summery drinks that will please everyone and make for a refreshing pint. Liz Tagart, who helped organise the event, said: “Our volunteer bar staff have managed to find some beers and ciders that are sure to be popular with a summertime crowd. We’re proud to have this choice across the stations.”
“There will be drinks from producers based on the Island, so people can get a real flavour of what it’s like from the brewing perspective at Ashey and also Wootton.” And at Havenstreet, visitors can sample ales from award-winning breweries including The Pheasant, Mighty Oak, and Yates. These craft breweries offer distinctive brews that ale-lovers are bound to appreciate. Havenstreet will also serve specialty ciders and a wide choice of soft drinks, so there is something for everyone.
Lyndsay McConn, the licensed bar lead, said: “We’ve selected a fantastic range of beers and ciders to ensure there is a cold pint to satisfy on a balmy summer’s evening. It’ll be a family affair with a unique range of drinks that’s been curated to suit the traditional ale drinker through to the more adventurous palate looking for some inspiration.
A Unique Heritage Travel Experience
The Real Ale Train doesn’t just focus on local beers, though; it’s also an incredible travel experience. Visitors will hop on board heritage trains, reminiscent of yesteryear, and take in the picturesque Isle of Wight countryside as they ride through it. The boat ride offers a picture viewing of the island, and it is indeed a perfect way to spend a calm evening with friends and family.
The train will transport ticket holders between Wootton, Havenstreet, Ashey, and Smallbrook Junction and will provide the opportunity to journey between each historic station. Guests are invited to sample a selection of beverages, catch up with friends, and enjoy the atmosphere of each venue on the tour.
There is also bangers and mash that is all cooked on the trains at tickets and Havenstreet and Ashey, and to wash it all down, there’s a selection of ales on offer at all stations. This hot, hearty dish contributes to the general appeal of what is the old-fashioned pub experience for passengers taking a break from the train journey with food and drink in hand.
Easy to get to Public Transport and Ticket info
For those hoping to visit the Real Ale Train without having to drive, there’s public transport on offer. Island Line trains will terminate at Smallbrook Junction until 9:02 pm, with onward travel towards other parts of the island, including Ryde, Sandown, and Shanklin. And in another first, Southern Vectis, Route 9 will be calling at Wootton Station, assisting the more environmentally friendly visitors get to the event.
Tickets for this event are available online or at the gate. These late tickets also now include your first pint, meaning it’s even easier for you late ones to join in the kicks. “We have great public transport links so everyone can come along without the worry of driving and ensure everyone has an enjoyable, safe night.”
Community and Celebration as Tradition
“The Real Ale Train is both a celebration of great drinks and heritage travel, as well as a mark of community spirit. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a popular attraction and provides an opportunity for visitors and island residents alike to experience the history and culture of the island. It’s the coming together of everyday folk, all drawn together by the love of yarn and food and each other’s company – and, of course, for some, the allure of proximity to said steam trains!
The Real Ale Train is now an eagerly awaited summer fixture for many. Add this to picturesque train rides, local ales and hearty food, and you have a glowingly warm, festive atmosphere designed to make people feel at home, chill out and tuck into the finest the Island has to offer. Newcomers and veterans can expect a good time, whether visiting for the first time or if they just can’t get enough of Georgetown – there will be something for everyone!
It is a Saturday event, perhaps another memorable Saturday in the Isle of Wight’s calendar of summer festivals. Because of the great atmosphere, spectacular local beers, and all that steam-powered magic, the Real Ale Train is still set to leave its mark on the island as one of its most loved events!
Looking Ahead
The Real Ale Train has religiously returned for another season, and the people behind the event are positive about its increasing popularity and plans for the future of the community collaborative. I think it’s evident that the mix of heritage, local culture, and immersive experiences will continue to attract people to the Isle of Wight for many years to come. Therefore, if you want an evening of good company, great beer and spectacular travel, then you certainly won’t go wrong by stepping aboard the Real Ale Train, and joining is for a rambling trip across the Isle of Wight.
(Source: Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Southern Vectis, Island Line)
Tags: Ashey, bangers and mash, Havenstreet, heritage train rides, isle of wight, Isle of Wight breweries, Isle of Wight events, Isle of Wight heritage travel, Isle of Wight Real Ale Train, local ales Isle of Wight, public transport Isle of Wight, real ale train, Real Ale Train event, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Smallbrook Junction, steam train event, UK, Wootton
In a world where travel has become increasingly immediate and customizable, expectations are at an all-time high. Modern travelers want experiences that are seamless, high-quality, and tailored to their preferences.
While online booking platforms promise convenience, they often leave too much to chance. This is where the travel club model stands apart. Offering a balance of personalization and predictability, travel clubs provide value that’s hard to match.
Personalized Planning Without The Guesswork
For many travelers, the hardest part of planning a vacation isn’t the destination‒it’s trusting that what they book will deliver. With a travel club, members avoid the trial-and-error of online listings and unvetted properties. Clubs focus on curating consistent experiences, combining destination expertise with member-oriented service.
Legendary Vacation Club is a family-owned business with five decades in international hospitality that has embraced this approach. By operating in high-demand locations like Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, and Punta Cana, LVC provides members with access to trusted properties and on-the-ground support, making personalized vacation planning less stressful and more reliable.
Long-Term Value in a Price-Driven Market
On-demand platforms often compete on price, but the trade-off is inconsistent service and surprise fees. A travel club, on the other hand, is designed around long-term value. Membership gives travelers access to preferred rates, special perks, and priority booking, all without sacrificing quality.
In competitive regions like Cancun and Vallarta, Legendary Vacation Club offers a distinct advantage. Members enjoy access to exclusive properties, including its Hard Rock resorts, all of which have earned the prestigious RCI Gold Crown award. These distinctions reflect not just luxury, but consistent delivery of service, something discount sites rarely guarantee.
Trust Built Through Proven Hospitality Standards
One of the strongest advantages of the travel club model is the trust it builds over time. For repeat travelers, the ability to return to known properties with reliable service is invaluable. Unlike one-off bookings, club memberships foster long-term relationships between travelers and providers, encouraging a higher standard of care.
In an industry where attention to detail defines the guest experience, long-term trust is one of the most valuable assets a club can offer. Legendary Vacation Club exemplifies this through its Riviera Maya location, where the Unico Hotel received the U.S. News & World Report Award in 2021.
Such accolades are more than symbolic. They signal a depth of operational experience that translates directly into member satisfaction.
A Better Way To Travel in a High-Expectation World
The rise of on-demand services has changed how people approach travel, but not always for the better. The travel club model offers something that algorithms and price filters can’t: a structured, member-first experience rooted in consistency, quality, and care.
For travelers looking to escape the uncertainty of one-size-fits-all solutions, a well-established club can provide a far more dependable alternative.
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, the value of being part of a curated, experience-driven travel model becomes increasingly clear. For many, it’s no longer about just going somewhere. It’s about how well you’re taken care of when you get there.
Tech-enabled travel company Travel Counsellors has reported record £566m H1 revenues.
The Manchester firm saw 10% year-on-year growth in the six months ended 30th April 2025 as sales broke £500m for the first time, with Travel Counsellors citing growing demand for personalised travel advice.
The firm added 149 new travel advisors to its community, taking the business to more than 2,206 at the period end.
Summer 2025 is also set to be another strong season for the company with bookings across the peak summer season – July and August – 11% ahead of the comparable time last year, it added.
“We’re seeing increased demand from millennial customers for cruise and adventure travel,” said Steve Byrne, CEO. “This demonstrates this generation’s preferences for premium and differentiated travel experiences.
“These are consumers who want more than just a holiday – they want peace of mind, personalised experiences, and meaningful, memorable journeys.
“During the first half of the year we’ve continued to experience good growth across the business, which is once again a firm demonstration of the strength of our differentiated strategy and was underpinned by the record number of customers who trusted Travel Counsellors with their leisure and corporate travel needs.”
Travel Counsellors has also maintained its five-star Trustpilot rating, recently reaching 10,000 reviews.
“This is a strong testament to our customer-first culture that runs through everything we do,” said Byrne.
“It’s for this reason that more than two thirds of our customers come to us through word-of-mouth referrals – which is a strong endorsement of the level of care we provide.
“We are focused on continuing to disrupt the travel market over the coming years through superb, personalised service and our scalable, relevant, and differentiated business model.”
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