Drones create 3D model of Matterhorn mountain
I want to throw this in with the post today. It does not have anything to do with tourism, but look at the sweet video! LiDAR might provide big data, but let us be honest, we really just like the pretty pictures that they make.
Google Glass – the Next Big Thing in the travel industry?
New Kickstarter Projects Aims To Make Google Glass The Ultimate Tour Guide
I have some browser formatting issues on the first one of these, so I apologize if you do too. I think that potential for GIS in tourism is interesting. The amount of app programming that will have to go into it is staggering. It would be a great opportunity for people just getting into the industry.
It will also provide significant immersion in tourism. I can really see how museums would benefit from these. You could use a tablet that has audio translations for the entire museum and accompany it with additional text, high detail blow up photos, 3D scans, or any other additional media. These are just the tip of the possibilities.
And using the location services in tablets and phones you can record your tour and distribute it through social media. You can create 'tour' albums and share them with your friends and family. How much fun would it be to look at photos of your family in front of tourist trap photo opportunities and then recreate it.
You can totally be bumped into by a tourist who has their face in a tablet versus the museum guide. High tech tourist rage!
And given the ease and low cost of these systems even small and underfunded museums could utilize them.