New UPLIFT Educational Materials: Four Video Lessons on Immersive Tourism

How can virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, or even simple QR codes be used to create more engaging tourism experiences? And how can small tourism businesses take their first steps without extensive technical expertise or a large budget?

The UPLIFT project has released new educational materials in the form of four practical video lessons, exploring how digital and interactive solutions can be used in literary and film tourism. The lessons draw on the UPLIFT immersive tourism workshops held across Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, and Slovenia and turn key ideas from the workshops into accessible, practical learning materials.

The video lessons are designed for small and medium-sized tourism businesses, tourism educators and students, guides, destination organisations, and anyone interested in exploring the possibilities of immersive tourism. No previous technical knowledge is required, and the emphasis is on practical approaches and free or low-cost tools that can make immersive experiences achievable for smaller organisations.

From strategy to practical implementation

Each of the four videos addresses a different aspect of developing immersive visitor experiences. The first lesson focuses on marketing, branding, and goals, exploring how an immersive experience can be connected to a destination or business brand, the right target audience, and clearly defined objectives.

The second lesson introduces VR, AR, and XR in tourism, helping participants understand the strengths and limitations of different technologies and choose solutions based on the experience and story they want to create – rather than starting with the technology itself.

The third video takes a more hands-on approach, providing a step-by-step introduction to creating a simple VR experience on a budget. Participants learn how 360° photography, AI, and free or low-cost tools can be used to develop a basic virtual experience that can be shared online.

The fourth lesson explores creative uses of QR codes and demonstrates how a simple QR code can connect physical places with videos, audio, photographs, stories, and other digital content. At a film location, for example, visitors could scan a code to watch a scene filmed at that exact spot, while a literary destination could use QR codes to unlock character narration or other story-based content.

The four lessons can be followed in sequence, taking learners from strategy and planning through to practical creation, or viewed individually according to interests and needs. Throughout the series, the emphasis is on using technology as a tool to support story, place, and emotion – rather than treating technology as an end in itself.

Explore the educational materials and watch all four video lessons on the UPLIFT website.