TRAVEL GEEKS
THE INFO THE RISE OF THE VIRTUAL TOURIST
WE ROUND UP SOME OF THE WONDERFUL WAYS WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE WORLD FROM HOME. WORDS: CHARLOTTE WIGRAM-EVANS
IN NUMBERS
THE LOUVRE, PARIS 7
THE NUMBER OF VIRTUAL TOURS AVAILABLE,
SHOWCASING DISPLAYS AS
DIVERSE AS RENAISSANCE ART AND EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES.
11.1 million
THE NUMBER OF VISITS THE LOUVRE'S WEBSITE RECEIVED BETWEEN 12 MARCH AND 8 JUNE
380,000
THE NUMBER OF OBJECTS HOUSED IN THE MUSEUM.
LOUVRE.FR
700,000
The number of people who virtually visited the Faroe Islands in a six-week period during lockdown — over six times the number of actual visitors in 2019. The project saw tourists from 197 countries explore the islands through the eyes of a local.
visitfaroeislands.com
13 DAYS The duration of Tourism
Western Australia’s virtual tour of the region, which
includes meeting kangaroos and taking a dip with orcas.
westernaustralia.com
£100,000 THE AMOUNT ONE HOST CLAIMS TO HAVE MADE WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF AIRBNB LAUNCHING ITS VIRTUAL TRAVEL PLATFORM.
AIRBNB.CO.UK/S/EXPERIENCES
NATURAL WONDERS
to visit virtually ANTARCTICA
The Shackleton 100 interactive virtual walking tour takes in Antarctica’s extraordinary
wildlife and historic landmarks. The environmental impact of in-person tourism to the
continent makes this virtual option all the more enticing.
shackleton100.com/antarctica GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Live cameras and 360-degree video footage bring the creatures of the Galápagos
Islands that bit closer to home. Watch blue-footed boobies
and land iguanas go about their day in real time.
airpano.com/ 360photo/galapagos
GRAND CANYON
Two billion years of history are mapped out in layers of rock and fossil in the Grand Canyon. Virtual visitors can learn more
on an archaeology tour or set off on a kayak trip.
nps.gov
Four ancient sites to explore from afar
THE PYRAMIDS, EGYPT Of the 100-plus pyramids that have been identified in Egypt, the most iconic is the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was constructed around 2560 BC. Virtual visitors can examine the gigantic structures up close, as well as seeing the nearby cemeteries and settlements.
giza.fas.harvard.edu
ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA Originally built by the Khmer Empire as a Hindu temple in the early 12th century, this sandstone complex was gradually converted into a Buddhist centre of worship. Take in the famous temples, as well as the nearby town of Siem Reap, via these online tours.
virtualangkor.com
MACHU PICCHU, PERU Situated 7,970ſt above sea level, these 15th-century ruins are evidence of an engineering marvel. Check out the famous Temple of the Sun, see the courtyards (complete with grazing alpacas) and ‘scale’ Machu Picchu’s highest point.
youvisit.com/tour/machupicchu
SOURCES:
LOUVRE.FR,
MUSEUMS.EU, TRAVEL PR,
FORBES.COM,
HISTORY.COM,
UNESCO.ORG
OLD QUÉBEC, CANADA The historic district of Old Québec is one of North America’s finest remaining examples of a fortified colonial city, founded by the French in the 17th century. Virtual tours offer visitors the chance to experience the area’s unique architecture.
quebec-cite.com
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nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel
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