The Virtual Safari: VR isn't for Gamers alone anymore!
When some think of travel, passports, airplanes, and teeming streets pop into mind. But lately—and especially in Singapore—virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are flipping new chapters to the travel story. They are not quite ready to replace travel; for now it's all about expanding it.
What’s New: Blending Reality with Virtual
You’ve probably heard of VR arcades or museums with interactive VR pieces—you might even have tried one. But the newer trend is hybrid experiences combining the below:
- AR-guided heritage trails: Like Merli’s Immersive Adventure (downloadable on iOS or Playstore)—walk in Civic District & Chinatown, see virtual overlays showing what shophouses looked like, send virtual postcards, learn history through immersive storytelling. It's meant to have us see old places in new ways.
- Full VR experiences: Escape rooms where my friends and I have stepped into ancient Egypt, or spaceships, guided by VR headsets. In Singapore, Virtual World in Chinatown is one such example.
How VR hooked us in
Being in VR or using AR hits more senses—sight, sound, motion: it’s immersive. Here are some things I’ve noticed:
- Presence: VR can had us feel like we're already there—in another time, place, or story. I once tried a VR escape adventure with friends; mid-mission, I forgot I was not really in a pyramid. That feeling of being transported sparked our curiosity to think “What else can I experience in person?”.
- Try Before We Travel: I have experienced virtual tours as a palate teaser—seeing what a place looks like, what the vibe is like—before committing. And it worked well as I was worried about travel costs, time, or accessibility; it helped to lower my barrier to booking that trip.
- Novelty + Social Shareability: VR/AR moments are great for stories & video clips, for social media. This is it right, it is all about sharing it, and causing others to want to try. Even if I am not exactly the biggest fan of being on Socials, it is difficult to escape that FOMO-itude to want my friends and family to follow my journey.
- Accessibility & Inclusion: For those who cannot travel far (elderly, mobility-limited, or restricted by time) can still “visit” places, experience culture, heritage, nature virtually. This increases the accessibility of travel (in my opinion).
Things to watch out for
- Motion sickness or discomfort can be real for some users—good news: they are more thoughtfully designed these days.
- Quality of content matters: high-resolution visuals, good audio, storytelling. Cheap VR that looks “pixelated” or disjointed often falls flat.
- Hardware & setup logistics: headsets, clean spaces, good lighting, reliable internet for AR—all of which require careful planning.
Why it matters in Post-Pandemic Travel
VR or AR travel experiences are not just tech novelties anymore—they are useful in a world where travel can be interrupted. Think:
- Virtual previews of Singapore before your trip so you can plan better.
- Hybrid tours where some participants join in person, others virtually.
- Tour companies offering “VR trial” experiences to help people choose which in-person tour suits them best.
Let’s Go Virtual—and Real
At Offbeat Singapore, we’re excited by what VR and AR offer: new ways to explore, new ways to connect with places, new ways to let those of you who can’t hop on flights today still travel. If you’re curious, whether for a virtual escape now or planning a physical trip later, talk to us. We’d love to craft a virtual tour of Singapore that feels honest, immersive—and maybe even change how you see the world.
Photos are courtesy of tirachardz & STB
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