Amid the constant buzz around the Metaverse in the news and social media, companies from various sectors are beginning to consider their potential role in what the Metaverse will become. The travel and tourism industry is no exception. Companies in the sector have begun investing in new technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). These technologies will bring the industry closer to the metaverse by providing a potential place for people to meet, plan trips together and visit various places in a virtual environment.
Work in the Metaverse Thrives
An example of the hype around the metaverse is the explosion of jobs related to topics like AR and VR. The GlobalData database of job trends shows that since January 2021, the number of employees in these topics has increased by 218%. Speaking specifically to the travel industry, the company that showed the most interest in hiring for AR and VR in the first quarter of 2022 was The Walt Disney Company. Disney is one of the world’s leading media giants and operates a number of successful theme parks, and even that company has not escaped the hype around the metaverse. During a conference call to discuss the company’s 2022 Q1 financial results, CEO Bob Chapek said the metaverse is at the forefront.
Disney virtual world simulator.
Notably, Disney has shown further interest in the Metaverse with a new patent that was granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office in early 2022. This patent outlines the company’s plans to create an attraction in a real-world theme park where users will be able to 3D virtual world using Simultaneous Localization and Display (SLAM). This method will be used to map the surroundings of park visitors as they move through the real world, creating images based on 3D projections. Guests will be able to view holograms projected onto 3D objects of their favorite Disney stars, artwork or information, creating an immersive yet personalized experience.
Racing ahead of the Metaverse competitors
Using AR and VR to create immersive theme parks is not a new concept and has already been used in other theme parks. When guests ride Mario Karts: Koopa’s Challenge at Super Nintendo World, sitting in a kart and wearing an AR headset, Mario Kart-style racing comes to life. The headset allows users to race on familiar tracks and throw iconic projectiles at opponents as it displays animated characters that appear in a physical setting.
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