If there is one thing Aussies have been dreaming of doing this year – it’s travelling.
Despite Australia’s aviation industry having faced a bumpy recovery from Covid-19 shutdowns, with staff shortages, long queues at airports, higher fares and axed routes – one thing is certain, demand for travel is still high.
KAYAK revealed international flight searches in 2023 are up by about 6 per cent, compared to the same period in 2019.
And while many Aussies may have an idea of where they want to go, deciding on a final destination can be frustrating, especially when you’re travelling in a group.
This is where a first of its kind AR experience called The Windows to the World comes in handy.
It allows you to point and use your phone to be transported to some of the world’s most sought-after locations including Italy, Canada and Cambodia.
In fact, it’s something travel guru and Getaway host Jason Dundas has described as being a “game changer”.
The Aussie host, who has been living in LA for the past 12 years, is the first person to trial the AR portal.
“It’s unbelievable – I’ve never heard of anything like it,” Dundas told news.com.au. “It’s an effective way to whet your appetite with travel and scratch that wanderlust.
“I can just open up the site and automatically be transported into a destination. For me, I went to Italy in a square in Verona.”
When asked if it’s the same as scrolling though Instagram images to get a feel of the location, Dundas said it is completely different.
“It’s a full immersive experience; you can hear what is going on around you,” he said.
Dundas said it was the perfect middle ground if you were dreaming of somewhere to go, but not exactly sure where you want to visit.
“While Aussies might be facing a lot of procrastination until their next trip, the Windows to the World portal is really a great way to curb your wanderlust and explore some of the destinations you might want to visit this year, before you go,” he said.
The AR experience allows you to point and use your phone to be transported to some of the world’s most sought-after locations including Italy, Canada and Cambodia.
A host of touring companies – Contiki, Trafalgar, Costsaver, Luxury Gold and Insight Vacations – collaborated to create the unique experience that offers 360-degree walk-through views.
“Windows to the World campaign was designed using the 8th Wall immersive WebAR platform, providing an accessible AR experience without the need for special devices or app downloads, making it easily accessible to everyone,” a The Travel Corporation spokesperson said.
The launch of the portal comes at a time when Aussies say they have a deep longing for ‘travel with purpose’, with 40 per cent looking for more authentic, richer, emotive experiences, according to a study conducted by Pureprofile on behalf of The Travel Corporation.
A further 58 per cent stated they would go touring for their next holiday.
A group of 1005 Australians aged 18 years and older took part in the survey. It was carried out between January 16 and January 18, 2022.
“While our research shows a lot of Aussies are trying to power through a somewhat uninspiring start to the year, it doesn’t mean they have to leave their travel plans at the door. Toni Ambler, managing director of Contiki, Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, said.
“Our new AR Windows to the World portal is a great way to transport yourself into the world of touring and to get a taste for your next adventure.”