The growing trend of immersive experiences in travel is exploding, and it’s not only tied to tech. For hotel operators who want to take advantage of the growing immersive experiences trend, tech certainly isn’t everything. While most hotels tend to integrate tech into their service experiences to enhance their immersiveness some hotel operators are taking a different approach.
What is an immersive travel experience?
Immersive travel is a type of travel that allows you to fully engage with the local culture and environment of a destination. It is about more than just seeing the sights and ticking off bucket list items. It is about connecting with the people and place on a deeper level.
There are many different ways to have an immersive travel experience. Some popular options include:
- Volunteering: This is a great way to give back to the community and learn about the local culture. You can volunteer at an orphanage, animal shelter, or environmental project.
- Homestays: This is a great way to experience local life firsthand. Stay with a local family and learn about their customs and traditions.
- Cooking classes: Learn to cook traditional dishes and learn about the ingredients and flavors of the region.
- Language classes: Learn the local language and communicate with the locals on a deeper level.
- Hiking and camping: Get outdoors and experience the natural beauty of the destination.
- Attending festivals and events: Immerse yourself in the local culture by attending festivals and events.
Immersive travel can be a life-changing experience. It can help you to learn about new cultures, meet new people, and challenge yourself in new ways. If you are looking for a more meaningful and memorable travel experience, then immersive travel is the way to go.
Travelers want immersive travel experiences!
As travelers increasingly prioritize experiences over things immersive experiences in particular taking the world by storm.
Everyone wants to live life in first class because the memories are better than economy. Life tells them that their time is more valuable than their money. However, providing a “life in first class” experience doesn’t mean you should be charging first class prices, or operating on a first class budget. The key to immersive experiences, is not necessarily tech. Still tech can be a great tool. The real key, the “secret sauce,” is in the stories you tell and how you immerse people in those stories. So what does that mean, in practice?
- Do your research… but don’t bore them with it
You don’t need techif you have an incredible story to tell. Turn the historic icons into a persons, give them a life, let them have selfies with them. - Make your guests part of the experience
People want to be immersed in the story, not just “following another umbrella on another walking tour. Don’t try to educate them rather entertain them and make them part of the story. One key to this is creating an emotional connection. They won’t remember how they booked it or how much they paid, they just remember the experience… the way they felt. Another thing that works well is anticipation. Think of developing a product like a wedding, you have to enjoy the anticipation, when the day happens you have to remember that day forever.” And of course, regardless of what era the tour or activity is set in, photo-opportunities are key: “make sure that there are ‘Insta’ moments that can never be repeated.” - Embed meaning in every part of the experience
Immersive experiences are also so much more about the stories told through words. It’s about putting people in the moment, engaging all of their senses. Don’t just feed them, give them food that represents the story. Make sure that whenever people do that tour they think they are back in that time, they understand the social context, they engage.