VIRTUAL TOURS – AN INNOVATIVE DIRECTION IN THE TOURIST ACTIVITY OF VOLYN

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the peculiarities of virtual tours as an innovative direction in the tourism activity of Volyn, as well as to determine the prospects for online presentation of unique places in the region. In the context of war, the development of virtual sightseeing tourism in the Volyn region is a very relevant topic because, in the current circumstances in Ukraine, it is gaining extraordinary popularity, has a number of attractive features and advantages, namely: minimal expenditure of personal time and money, an alternative to classical excursions in case of inaccessibility of territories and objects, safety. Research methods. In the course of the study, the methods of observation, specific facts, theoretical research, system analysis, comparative, and forecasting were used. The article substantiates the role of virtual tours as a means of improving the tourism activity of Volyn. The introduction of sensory activities in museums and attractions has led to an increase in visitor satisfaction. It has been proven that virtual sightseeing tourism compresses the experience to include only the highlights or best parts. For example, a 2-hour tour can be reduced to a few minutes. It is substantiated that in recent years, virtual tourism in Volyn has become increasingly popular as technologies are becoming more advanced. The main virtual tours of Volyn are identified and the main attractions are graphically presented. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed for it to be truly successful. One of the biggest challenges is to create realistic and immersive experiences. It has been researched that to create a successful virtual sightseeing tour, you need an innovative way to make the user feel like they are really there. Another challenge is to provide sufficient information and context for the user. It's important to give the user enough information so that they can understand what they are seeing and how it relates to the real world. Otherwise, they may get lost, or be overwhelmed and abandon the experience entirely. It was determined that through continuous innovation and development, Volyn's virtual tours have the potential to become even better in the future. As more people gain access to virtual reality technologies and developers create more immersive and realistic experiences, virtual sightseeing tourism will only become more popular. The main ways to make virtual tours accessible so that more people can use them are outlined. Thanks to innovative technologies, tourists will be able to visit places all over Volyn, because virtual reality can be extraordinary and evoke great emotions in visitors.