Amid the hustle and bustle of VivaTech 2023, Alibaba Group’s travel services platform, Fliggy, shone with a fantastic display of futuristic travel tech innovations that could redefine the global tourism landscape. The much-anticipated European technology event, touted as one of the most significant startup and tech gatherings globally, was graced by more than 2,000 exhibitors from 149 countries and regions worldwide.

Fliggy, recognizing the rebounding global tourism industry, chose this platform to unveil the magic behind their innovative tech solutions—augmented reality (AR) technologies and a unique live stream service designed to transform digital travel experiences.

These advanced technologies were presented in an immersive display, captivating visitors at VivaTech. Attendees were transported into China’s cultural treasure troves, experiencing first-hand virtual exhibits and landmark sites such as the Liangzhu Museum in Hangzhou, known for its rich archaeological heritage. All of this was made possible through AR glasses, allowing guests to interact with the cultural relics while physically present in a booth in Paris.

Such AR technology, jointly developed by Fliggy and Rokid—a leading Chinese human-computer interaction technology product company—has already gained traction in several Chinese museums, including Guiyang, Qingdao, Nanning, and Suzhou. However, introducing this technology in Europe marked a milestone for many conference attendees, thus validating Fliggy’s dedication to expanding the sightseeing experience beyond geographic boundaries.

But the innovation didn’t stop there. Fliggy also showcased its exclusive livestream service platform that promises real-time immersive experiences of various travel destinations. The platform allows consumers to learn about a locale, engage with the live streamer, and make direct purchases. This approach has seen significant success in China, with one livestream highlighting local customs and cultures attracting a whopping 1.145 million viewers on Fliggy’s platform.

“Following the pandemic, we’ve seen an immense opportunity to transform the tourist experience through digitalization,” said Ada Xu, Fliggy’s Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “Livestream tours of globally renowned European attractions like the Louvre, the British Museum, and Casa Batlló have stirred the wanderlust in our users. Now, as travel to Europe regains momentum, we aim to deepen our tech offerings to cater to this renewed demand and curate specialized, engaging packages for Chinese tourists.”

Xu emphasizes that cutting-edge industry technologies like livestream services and AR-enhanced experiential travel will be critical tools for European merchants seeking to engage their Chinese consumers uniquely, fusing physical and digital realms.

The aftermath of the pandemic has demonstrated the efficacy of livestream service as a potent tool for promoting destination consideration and transaction conversion. It starkly contrasts traditional product presentation methods that rely solely on pictures and text descriptions. Live broadcasting amplifies the emotional value of products, driving higher transaction conversion rates. The daily live-streaming duration on Fliggy’s official channel has increased 2.3 times this year.

Even though the Chinese tourist market for European destinations hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels, the gradual recovery is promising. Fliggy reports that bookings by Chinese tourists for European hotels have surged over four times year-on-year since the start of 2023. Visa applications for Europe have also seen a phenomenal 17.8 times increase year-on-year. Popular European destinations among Chinese tourists include the Colosseum, the Louvre, the Sagrada Familia, the Palace of Versailles, the Acropolis Museum, the Harry Potter Studio, the Casa Mila, Disneyland Paris, the London Eye, and Casa Batlló.

The nexus of technology and travel continues to evolve in the digital era. The innovations showcased by Alibaba’s Fliggy at VivaTech 2023 are vivid indicators of a promising future where technology and travel merge, crafting unique, immersive experiences for globe-trotters everywhere. For more information, visit Alibaba Group’s Official Website, Fliggy, and VivaTech.

Written by: My Thanh Pham

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