Artificial lakes and 3D tour guides sound like things you would find in a sci-fi movie.
But could they be the hallmarks of the future of tourism in the UK?
By 2050, the UK’s rural towns and villages will become some of the most desirable tourism hotspots – as a result of advanced technology.
We could see the arrival of artificial lakes, virtual and 3D avatar tour guides and AI-powered translation systems.
In the next 25 years, rural tourism will be completely transformed by technology and full fibre broadband, the Future of Rural report predicts.
It suggests there will be a surge in demand for countryside escapes, prompting major investment in infrastructure and amenities.
Artificial lakes and inland beaches could also be created.
Technology is predicted to develop to the stage where we will have real-time AI translation capabilities, helping travellers to understand despite language barriers.
We could see the arrival of virtual and 3D avatar tour guides and AI-powered translation systems
The Future of Rural report predicts that in the next 25 years, rural tourism will be completely transformed by technology
It’s also likely many visitors in the UK will opt to stay outside of London, not in the country’s capital.
Sustainable tourism is also likely to be on the rise.
Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: ‘Climate change is likely to increasingly impact the choices people make for holiday destinations.
‘You already hear many people talking about being ‘too hot’ on their summer holidays and we need to be ready to respond to that trend by growing awareness and enhancing the value of Cumbria’s tourism.
‘The report rightly highlights how we need to expand tourism facilities, including being open to the positive impact technology can make to the tourism experience and having good digital connectivity for all our rural communities is essential if we are to be able to do this.’
Tom Cheesewright, the report’s author, said: ‘The UK’s rural and coastal regions will leverage the changing landscape and take full advantage of not-yet-invented technologies to make it a top tourist destination by 2050.
‘This development will create opportunities for both large and small businesses, with food producers, tour operators and experience venues all expanding.
‘Rural tourism will become a large driver of the UK’s economic growth.’
By 2050, the UK’s rural towns and villages will become some of the most desirable tourism hotspots for Europeans and Americans thanks to futurist technologies
Dominic Kearns, CEO and co-founder of Fibrus, who commissioned the report, said: ‘Contrary to popular belief, today’s rural communities are not in decline – they’re already thriving and have some of the most promising outlooks of any area.’
He went on to say: ‘We firmly believe that rural communities are engines of growth, and we’ve witnessed firsthand how high-quality connectivity can spark real transformation.
‘By closing the gaps in infrastructure, access, and digital inclusion, coastal and countryside tourism can become not only a major force in the UK economy but also a leader in technological innovation.’
It comes after recent predictions of the future of travel suggested we could see AI-powered corridors and air taxis taking tourists from airports to hotels.
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Artificial lakes and 3D tour guides – is this the future of UK tourism?
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