It’s safe to say that 2016 will be the year that virtual reality (VR) emerges from the shadows, opening itself up to mass marketing and mass uptake. It’s something that’s been coming for quite a while after all.

NB: This is a viewpoint by Nick Livermore, marketing manager for Digital Visitor.

Forecast to generate $6.7bn in 2016 and as much as $70bn by 2020, now is arguably the time to get on board with VR and, by extension, 360-degree video technology.

Naturally, the Oculus Rift owning Facebook has been quick on the uptake, announcing direct support for 360-degree video. And this is indicative of a trend that is set to continue into 2020 and beyond; YouTube is also rolling out support for the technology.

A number of industries are already exploring the marketing potential of VR platforms. Lexus, for instance, is offering prospective customers the chance to test drive the Lexus NX via Oculus Rift. Red Bull is using the technology at air shows to give fans the chance to experience what it’s actually like to sit in the cockpit.

But in the travel and tourism industry uptake has been relatively slow, which highlights a tangible opportunity for travel and tourism marketers everywhere.

Why virtual reality is the most exciting innovation in tourism marketing

The travel and tourism industry is all about selling an experience; a feeling, a landscape, the history of a particular destination. Traditionally, this has been accomplished through compelling imagery, storytelling and user accounts, among other approaches.

But while those mediums have proved effective in the past, there’s a sizeable problem it’s been difficult to overcome. That is, until now. Namely, that they don’t literally give prospective holidaymakers those experiences; what it means to actually be in a location remains in the imagination.

That’s why VR is definitively the most exciting innovation in travel and tourism marketing today. It enables people to live and experience, albeit for a short time, directly from their living rooms or your experiential hub.

The potential of VR in travel and tourism marketing

The potential of VR in travel and tourism marketing is vast. Just think, with VR you can take anyone on a guided tour of your city, island or country from anywhere in the world.

To get a better idea of what we’re talking about take a look at this website, dedicated to 360-degree video and photography.

And that’s just the beginning. Including augmented reality (AR) features in your VR guide can give holidaymakers the power to control their experience, diving down for a closer look at specific activities they could indulge in while visiting your destination.

Is it expensive?

The cost of units capable of filming 360-degree footage is falling quickly (we have one in-office that was only around £500). Drones, another vital component of VR marketing, have already hit the big time with professional-level models currently available for around the £1000 mark.

Clearly, the cost of this technology isn’t as high as many assume.

Marketing campaigns, of course, require a professional shoot; you’ll want to work with the very best available. However, this does serve to dismantle the myth of VR and 360-degree footage being expensive.

Mass marketing VR marketing

Even without VR, 360-degree footage offers a compelling view of any destination (if professionally shot, of course). And while VR capabilities in the domestic environment remain niche, its popularity is certain to take off over the next year and beyond.

And there’s already a range of options available to consumers. You still have the pioneers (Oculus) and high quality experiences (HTC) on offer at prices only mouth-watering for tech aficionados. But don’t forget about the entry level Google Cardboard ($20), which even six months ago had passed the 1 million mark, and other options besides.

Essentially, if you’ve got a smartphone – particularly Android – VR is, right now, achievable and inexpensive for you.

It is this flexibility that agencies like ours will be looking to take advantage of over the next 12 months and beyond, as we attempt to grasp this opportunity to engage our audiences more closely than ever before (without them actually being there, of course).

It is these tangible experiences, whether fully immersed in VR or scaled back to simple 360-degree video which will lead the way.

NB: This is a viewpoint by Nick Livermore, marketing manager of Digital Visitor. A version of this article first appeared on the Digital Visitor blog and is republished here with permission.

NB2:Image by Shutterstock

Related reading from Tnooz: Going on safari? There’s now virtual reality for that (Jan2016) VR and beacons tipped for mainstream adoption in 2016 (Oct 2015) Travel brands developing wearables and virtual reality: don’t pop the champagne just yet (July 2015)