SINGAPORE - It is not the end of the world for travel lovers deprived of an escape to elsewhere during the pandemic.A profusion of new virtual experiences in every genre now lies at the end of an Internet connection.
Since Airbnb launched its Online Experiences in April, bookings in Singapore have grown almost sevenfold, with food and drink the most popular category here and globally. About 600 experiences have debuted on the platform.Multi-currency wallet platform YouTrip, which recently surveyed 6,000 Singaporeans in its Travel Intent Survey, found that seven in 10 still desire to travel this year.
But even if islands or blissfully remote places become the post-coronavirus default, cities are certainly safe for virtual travellers right now. What about street art in Buenos Aires or Delhi? Or cultivate optimism with an American Olympian and try laughter yoga in Portugal. He says the key is to pay close attention to the faces of participants"so that any quizzical look or flash of interest in the eyes" gets a response.
Online experiences are shorter - to steer clear of video-conferencing fatigue. Tours are often 45 to 90 minutes, except for longer cooking classes. Although many paid virtual tours were forged in a sombre time, they may become a significant trend even when it is safe to venture out again.