The Power of Immersive Space: How Virtual Worlds Are Reimagining Real Travel
- Anokhi Shah
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read

I was pleasantly surprised to come across an article in today’s newspaper titled “Travelling levels up with gaming-inspired getaways.” As someone who works deeply with immersive storytelling and spatial design, it felt like a moment where two parallel worlds — gaming and travel — are finally meeting on a mainstream stage.
What struck me most is the reminder that virtual game environments don’t just offer escapism — they spark curiosity, emotional connection, and even a desire to explore the real world differently. These spaces are not only designed to entertain but to immerse, transport, and sometimes even transform us. And now, they’re beginning to shape how and where we travel.
The article explored how gaming-inspired vacations are becoming a growing trend — from cosplay tours and AR city walks to VR previews of destinations and eSports-led events. And I thought: isn’t this what immersive space is all about? It’s about designing experiences that go beyond the surface, inviting people to be in the story, not just observe it.
At its heart, this is about the power of worldbuilding. Whether it’s a level in Assassin’s Creed, the cities of Genshin Impact, or the eerie quiet of Death Stranding, these game environments are crafted with the same narrative and architectural logic as real places. Players form emotional connections with these spaces. So it’s no surprise that fans want to visit the "real" Florence after climbing rooftops in the game, or walk through snowy Icelandic landscapes that resemble their favorite in-game quests.
It’s similar to what we see in cinema tourism, like the current rise in tourism to Koh Samui in Thailand following The White Lotus. These shows and games act like invitations. They tell us stories that expand our understanding of place, and often, make us want to be there, to experience the textures, the moods, and the sense of presence that we first felt virtually.
As someone who works with XR, spatial storytelling, and virtual worlds, this convergence excites me. It’s a reminder that imagination has always been a driver of exploration, whether through myths, maps, or now, interactive media.
And maybe this is where the future of travel lies: in journeys that begin in our minds before they ever touch the ground, where digital landscapes inspire real footsteps, where the line between imagined and real spaces becomes a playground for culture, curiosity, and connection.
Here’s to designing worlds — virtual or real — that make people feel, wonder, and move.
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