Due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, an entertainment company in Japan is offering travellers a virtual vacation around the world. According to the report by Reuters, First Airlines in Japan’s capital, Tokyo offers travellers first or business class seats in a mock airline cabin where they are served in-flight meals and drinks, with flat panel screens displaying aircraft exterior views including passing clouds.
Japanese businessman, Katsuo Inoue, who chose Italy for this year’s summer vacation, enjoyed his virtual tour in the business class cabin. He explored the sights of Florence and Rome – without ever leaving Tokyo. He told Reuters:
“I often go overseas on business, but I haven’t been to Italy,”
“My impression was rather good because I got a sense of actually seeing things there.”
The virtual reality goggles provide immersive tours at destinations including – as well as Italy’s cities of culture – Paris, New York, Rome and Hawaii.
At First Airlines, where “passengers” are even given a pre-flight safety demonstration with a life vest and oxygen mask, bookings are up about 50 per cent since the pandemic began, according to the company.
Ever since coronavirus stopped most travel from Japan, the country’s biggest airline, ANA Holdings, said numbers flying to foreign destinations on its planes fell by 96% in June.