Virtual Tourism System

Abstract

To provide a travel experience with a virtual reality technology.SOLUTION: A virtual sightseeing system acquires spatial data composed of captured images of an existing sightseeing spot, and registers a virtual sightseeing spot corresponding to the existing sightseeing spot in map data. A user selects a virtual sightseeing spot by referring to map data indicating the positions of a plurality of virtual sightseeing spots. A virtual sightseeing system provides a user with a virtual sightseeing experience by displaying a virtual space corresponding to a virtual sightseeing spot selected by the user based on spatial data of the existing sightseeing spot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to virtual reality technology, and in particular to technology for providing a virtual travel experience. [Background technology]

[0002] The joy of traveling is having experiences that are different from your everyday life. Travelers enjoy traveling by making their own travel plans or by joining tours organized by travel agencies. Because travel has a high economic impact, it is an important issue for national and local governments to capture travel demand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-155887 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the reality is that tourists tend to concentrate in a few famous areas. For example, the number of Japanese domestic tourists in 2019 was about 90 million in Tokyo, the number one city, while Kochi Prefecture, the lowest, had only 4.2 million (according to a survey by the Japan Tourism Agency). Many areas have attractive tourist resources, but are not able to capture sufficient travel demand because they are not well known.

[0005] The present invention was completed based on the above background, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a travel experience using virtual reality technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A virtual tourism system in one aspect of the present invention comprises a tourist destination registration unit that acquires spatial data consisting of captured images of the real tourist destinations along with address information of the real tourist destinations, and registers virtual tourist destinations corresponding to the real tourist destinations in map data based on the address information, a map display unit that displays the positions of multiple virtual tourist destinations on the map data, a tourist destination selection unit that accepts a user's selection of a virtual tourist destination on the map data, and a tourism experience provision unit that provides the user with a virtual tourism experience by displaying a virtual space corresponding to the virtual tourist destination selected by the user based on the spatial data of the real tourist destinations.

[0007] A communications terminal in one aspect of the present invention includes a tourist destination selection unit that accepts the selection of a virtual tourist destination from a plurality of virtual tourist destinations displayed on map data, a virtual space display unit that displays a virtual space corresponding to the selected virtual tourist destination, a visit request acceptance unit that accepts registration of the virtual tourist destination to a visit list, and a travel plan display unit that displays a travel plan for real tourist destinations based on the visit list. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, virtual reality technology can be used to provide users with an experience similar to an actual trip. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the virtual tourism system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a tourism server and a user terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a screen diagram of a first map screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a screen diagram of a second map screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a screen diagram of a virtual sightseeing screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a data structure diagram of virtual tourist spot information. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between tourist destinations and environmental data in the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a data structure diagram of virtual shop information. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a screen diagram showing the vicinity of a virtual store. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram of sightseeing history information. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a screen diagram of a travel plan screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between tourist destinations and environmental data in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [overview] In this embodiment, a tourist experience that applies virtual reality technology is provided to the user. Specifically, a virtual space that imitates an actual tourist spot is generated by three-dimensional computer graphics. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, an actual tourist spot will be referred to as a "actual tourist spot" and a tourist spot created in a virtual space will be referred to as a "virtual tourist spot". Stores (hereinafter referred to as "virtual stores") are also set up in the virtual space.

[0011] Users explore virtual tourist sites by moving their avatar (hereafter referred to as "avatar") around the virtual space in a way that feels similar to playing a game. Hereinafter, the experience of visiting virtual tourist sites through an avatar will be referred to as "virtual tourism," "virtual tourist experience," or "virtual travel."

[0012] As will be described in more detail later, users access the tourism server from a communication terminal such as a desktop PC, and are provided with a virtual tourism experience from the tourism server. Users can also operate avatars to enjoy shopping at virtual stores set up in virtual tourist destinations.

[0013] The virtual tourist spots in this embodiment all correspond to real tourist spots. The images of the virtual tourist spots are constructed based on images captured by a 360-degree camera at the real tourist spot (local area). For example, a virtual space (virtual tourist spot) corresponding to Furano (a real tourist spot in Hokkaido) is constructed based on images of Furano captured by city hall staff of the city.

[0014] The user, as a virtual tourist, selects the virtual tourist spot he or she wants to visit from the map screen (described later) and enjoys virtual sightseeing. This system is expected to involve users who enjoy virtual sightseeing, tourism managers who register virtual tourist spots, shop managers who operate virtual shops, and travel agents who arrange real-world trips. An example of a tourism manager could be a person in charge of attracting tourists at a local government.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the virtual tourism system 100. As shown in FIG. The virtual tourism system 100 includes a tourism server 200, a user terminal 300, a payment system 108, a travel agency 104, real tourist destinations 102, and a shop terminal 110. The tourism server 200, the user terminal 300, the payment system 108, the travel agency 104, the real tourist destinations 102, and the shop terminal 110 are connected to each other via the Internet 106. The user terminal 300 is a communication terminal used by a user who receives virtual tourism services, and may be any computer having communication and display functions, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, or VR (Virtual Reality) goggles. The user terminal 300 may also be a dedicated device installed in a game center or the like.

[0016] The tourism server 200 provides a virtual tourism service to the user terminal 300. The user registers in advance with the tourism server 200. At this time, the user registers their name, address, bank account information, credit card number, etc. with the tourism server 200, and the tourism server 200 assigns a user ID to each user.

[0017] The payment system 108 is a server operated by a financial institution. When a user makes a purchase at a virtual store, the tourism server 200 transmits a payment instruction to the payment system 108, and the payment system 108 performs payment of the fee.

[0018] The travel agency 104 (the communication terminal of the travel agency 104) arranges the real trip. After the virtual trip, the user can select tourist spots that the user would like to actually visit (hereinafter, referred to as "desired places to visit"). The tourism server 200 can also create a travel plan that includes the desired places to visit (described later). The travel agency 104 arranges a trip to the real tourist spots based on the travel plan created by the tourism server 200.

[0019] The real tourist destination 102 (a communication terminal of the real tourist destination 102) transmits the captured image to the tourist server 200. The tourist server 200 generates an image of the virtual tourist destination based on the captured image.

[0020] The store terminal 110 is a communication terminal used by a store manager. The store manager transmits from the store terminal 110 the desired region for opening a virtual store, a product list, and store manager information. The tourism server 200 places product objects (virtual objects) corresponding to the product list in the specified virtual store. The store manager may purchase the right to exhibit products for a portion of the space in the virtual store, or may purchase the entire virtual store.

[0021] The user selects a product object in the virtual store and issues an instruction to purchase it. The tourism server 200 debits the product price from the user's bank account and deposits the product price into the bank account of the store operator. At the same time, the tourism server 200 notifies the store operator of the user's address and the name of the purchased product, and the store operator delivers the actual product to the user's address. In other words, the user enjoys shopping in the virtual store, and the actual product arrives at the user's home a few days later. Note that the product may be delivered anonymously, with the operator of the tourism server 200 acting as escrow and not notifying the store operator of the purchaser's personal information.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the tourism server 200 and the user terminal 300. Each component of the tourism server 200 and the user terminal 300 is realized by hardware including computing units such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various co-processors, storage devices such as memory and storage, and wired or wireless communication lines connecting them, and software stored in the storage devices that supplies processing instructions to the computing units. The computer programs may be composed of device drivers, an operating system, various application programs located at higher layers than these, and libraries that provide common functions to these programs. Each block described below does not represent a hardware configuration but represents a functional block.

[0023] (Tourism Server 200) The tourism server 200 includes a communication unit 202 , a data processing unit 204 , and a data storage unit 206 . The communication unit 202 is responsible for communication processing with the user terminal 300, the payment system 108, the travel agency 104, the real tourist destinations 102, and the store terminal 110. The data storage unit 206 stores various data such as image data of the virtual space, characters, information about the user, information about the real tourist destinations, and information about the store operator. The data processing unit 204 executes various processes based on the data acquired by the communication unit 202 and the data stored in the data storage unit 206. The data processing unit 204 also functions as an interface between the communication unit 202 and the data storage unit 206.

[0024] The communication unit 202 includes a transmission unit 208 that transmits various information to an external device such as the user terminal 300, and a reception unit 210 that receives various information from the external device.

[0025] The data processing unit 204 includes a tourist destination registration unit 216, a store registration unit 218, a conversation processing unit 220, a tourism proposal unit 222, a tourism experience provision unit 224, a delivery instruction unit 226, a payment processing unit 228, a visit request registration unit 230, a travel plan proposal unit 232, and a travel arrangement unit 234. The tourist attraction registration unit 216 registers a virtual tourist attraction in response to a registration request from the real tourist attraction 102. When registering a virtual tourist attraction, address information and captured images of the real tourist attraction are registered in the data storage unit 206. The store registration unit 218 registers a virtual store in response to a request from the store terminal 110. When registering a virtual store, the location of the virtual store, the store manager, a product list, etc. are registered in 206.

[0026] The conversation processing unit 220 processes conversations between users. In this embodiment, multiple users can converse in a chat format in the virtual space. The conversation processing unit 220 relays the conversation by transferring a text message input by a speaker to a conversation screen (not shown) of an avatar (other user) within a predetermined range from the speaker's avatar. A user may converse with other users by voice via an input / output device such as a microphone and earphones. The tourism suggestion unit 222 suggests virtual tourism destinations (hereinafter referred to as "recommended tourism destinations") to be recommended to the user from multiple virtual tourism destinations. The tourism experience providing unit 224 provides the user with a virtual tourism experience.

[0027] The delivery instruction unit 226 instructs the store terminal 110 or a logistics company to deliver real products to the user when the user shops at a virtual store or visits a virtual tourist spot. The payment processing unit 228 executes payment processing by issuing instructions to the payment system 108. The payment processing unit 228 executes payment processing when the user purchases a product at a virtual store.

[0028] The visit desire registration unit 230 registers the desired places to visit according to the user's instructions. The travel plan proposal unit 232 generates a travel plan for the real trip based on the desired places to visit. The travel arrangement unit 234 instructs the travel agency 104 to arrange the real trip based on the travel plan.

[0029] (User terminal 300) The user terminal 300 includes a user interface processor 302 , a communication unit 304 , a data processor 306 , and a data storage unit 308 . The user interface processing unit 302 accepts operations from the user via input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick, touch panel, etc., and is responsible for processing related to the user interface, such as image display and audio output. The communication unit 304 is responsible for communication processing with the tourist server 200. The data storage unit 308 stores various data. The data processing unit 306 executes various processes based on input from the user interface processing unit 302, data received by the communication unit 304, and data stored in the data storage unit 308. The data processing unit 306 also functions as an interface between the communication unit 304, the user interface processing unit 302, and the data storage unit 308.

[0030] The communication unit 304 includes a transmitting unit 314 that transmits data and a receiving unit 316 that receives data.

[0031] The user interface processing unit 302 includes an input unit 310 and an output unit 312 . The input unit 310 accepts various inputs from the user. The user uses an input device to operate an avatar in a virtual space via a user interface similar to that of a computer game.

[0032] The input unit 310 includes a tourist destination selection unit 320 and a visit desire acceptance unit 322. The tourist destination selection unit 320 accepts the selection of a virtual tourist destination by the user from a map screen, which will be described later. The visit desire acceptance unit 322 accepts the designation of a desired visit destination from the user.

[0033] The output unit 312 outputs various types of information to the user, and displays various types of information on a monitor and outputs various types of sounds. The output unit 312 includes a map display unit 324, a virtual space display unit 326, and a travel plan display unit 328. The map display unit 324 displays a map screen, which will be described later. The virtual space display unit 326 displays a virtual tourist spot (virtual space) on a screen in accordance with an image provided by the travel proposal unit 222. The travel plan display unit 328 displays a travel plan proposed by the travel plan proposal unit 232 on a screen.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a screen diagram of the first map screen 240. When a user accesses the tourist server 200 from the user terminal 300, the map display unit 324 displays the first map screen 240 shown in Fig. 3. The first map screen 240 displays an image overlooking the Earth. The first map screen 240 in Fig. 3 displays an area corresponding to Hokkaido. The user can freely move the viewpoint using an operating device such as a mouse or cursor keys.

[0035] A number of tourist spheres 242a to 242j are floating on the map (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "tourist spheres 242"). The tourist spheres 242 are symbols that indicate virtual tourist destinations that correspond to real tourist destinations. For example, the tourist sphere 242a is a virtual tourist destination that corresponds to "Esashi," and is located in the eastern part of the Oshima Peninsula in Hokkaido, just like the real Esashi.

[0036] The user moves the viewpoint and selects a virtual tourist destination (tourist sphere 242) that they would like to visit. How to select a virtual tourist destination will be described in detail with reference to the following Figs. 4 and 5. The tourist suggestion unit 222 selects a recommended tourist destination from a plurality of virtual tourist destinations (tourist sphere 242) using a method described below, and displays a message proposing the recommended tourist destination in the message area 244. In Fig. 3, "Esashi" is recommended for the reason that it has "good weather." The weather at virtual tourist destinations will also be described later.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a screen diagram of the second map screen 250. As the user moves the viewpoint position closer to the tourist sphere 242a on the first map screen 240 (FIG. 3), the map display unit 324 enlarges and displays the tourist sphere 242a (Esashi). A captured image of Esashi (an actual tourist destination) is reflected in the tourist sphere 242a. In FIG. 4, the scenery of a park in Esashi is reflected distortedly in the tourist sphere 242a like a fisheye lens.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a screen diagram of the virtual sightseeing screen 260. When the user further moves the viewpoint position on the second map screen 250 and the viewpoint enters the tourist sphere 242a, the virtual space display unit 326 displays the virtual tourist screen 260. When the viewpoint position enters the tourist sphere 242a, the tourist destination selection unit 320 determines that the virtual tourist destination (Esashi) has been selected, and notifies the tourist server 200 of the selection result. The image of the virtual tourist screen 260 is generated by the tourist experience providing unit 224. The tourist experience providing unit 224 generates an image of the virtual tourist destination, and the transmission unit 208 transmits the generated image to the user terminal 300.

[0039] Before registering the virtual tourist spot, a tourism manager in Esashi takes images of the real tourist spot (Esashi) while walking around with a spherical camera. These captured images are stitched together to form "spatial data" for constructing a virtual space. Technology for constructing spatial data from images captured by a spherical camera is known. The virtual space display unit 326 displays the virtual space based on the spatial data received from the tourism server 200. The user can enjoy a virtual tourism experience of strolling through the local scenery of Esashi by entering the inside of the tourism sphere 242a. In particular, when the user terminal 300 is a VR goggle, the user can enjoy a highly immersive virtual tourism experience as if he or she were actually strolling through a real tourist spot.

[0040] The tourism operator not only acquires captured images, but also collects sounds (ambient sounds) of real tourist destinations. During the tourism experience, the sounds collected at the real tourist destinations are played back. From the collected sound data, for example, the chirps of birds, the hustle and bustle, the sound of the wind, the sound of crashing waves, etc. are played back as ambient sounds. Note that the spatial data constituting the virtual tourist destination may be video images. For example, images of swaying trees, the murmuring of a stream, the movement of clouds, etc. may be played back.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram of the virtual tourist spot information 270. The tourism manager transmits address information (latitude and longitude) of the real tourist destination, captured images, and sound data to the tourism server 200. The tourist destination registration unit 216 forms spatial data when it acquires the captured images. The tourism manager may generate spatial data from the captured images itself and transmit it to the tourism server 200. The tourist destination registration unit 216 registers virtual tourist destinations corresponding to the real tourist destinations in the virtual tourist destination information 270, and assigns tourist destination IDs (hereinafter also referred to as "VIDs") to the virtual tourist destinations. The virtual tourist destination information 270 is a list of virtual tourist destinations registered in the tourism server 200.

[0042] For example, the virtual tourist destination with VID=V01 (hereinafter referred to as "virtual tourist destination (V01)") corresponds to "Furano (actual tourist destination)". The address information for Furano is "43 degrees north latitude, 142 degrees east longitude". The tourist destination registration unit 216 generates a tourist sphere 242 corresponding to the virtual tourist destination (V01) and sets the tourist sphere 242 in pre-registered map data based on the address information. The map data with the tourist sphere 242 added is downloaded from the tourism server 200 to the virtual tourism system 100.

[0043] According to the virtual tourist spot information 270, the number of visitors to the virtual tourist spot (V01) per day is 1520 people, and the average stay time is 1 hour and 20 minutes. The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 updates the virtual tourist spot information 270 every time a user visits a virtual tourist spot.

[0044] The delivery instruction unit 226 delivers a "pudding" associated with Furano as a souvenir (hereinafter referred to as a "bonus product") to the first 30 users who visit the virtual tourist destination (V01) every day. More specifically, when a user enters the virtual tourist destination (V01), if the number of visitors on that day is 30 or less, the delivery instruction unit 226 issues a delivery instruction to a store (sponsor) offering the bonus product to deliver the "pudding" to the user's address.

[0045] Similarly, the virtual tourist spot (V02) corresponds to "Abashiri," and all visitors are given "candy," which is associated with Abashiri, as a special gift. The tourist spot (V03) corresponds to "Hachinohe," and the delivery instruction unit 226 holds a lottery once a day to send 50 visitors "boiled mackerel," which is associated with Hachinohe, as a special gift. In this way, by visiting virtual tourist spots, users have the possibility of receiving special gifts from each area.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between tourist destinations and environmental data in this embodiment. The spatial data corresponding to the virtual tourist spot and the sound data corresponding to the environmental sounds may be of one type or of multiple types. The virtual tourist spot A shown in FIG. 7 is associated with spatial data B1 to Bn and sound data C1 to Cn.

[0047] A plurality of pieces of spatial data and sound data (hereinafter collectively referred to as "environmental data") can be prepared according to environmental conditions such as time, season, and weather. "Time" may be morning, noon, evening, night, or morning and afternoon. "Season" may be a month such as January or February, or a season such as spring, summer, autumn, or winter. "Weather" may be rain, clear, cloudy, snow, etc.

[0048] The tourism operator acquires various types of environmental data according to environmental conditions such as time, season, and weather at the actual tourist destination. These various types of environmental data are registered in association with the virtual tourist destination along with the environmental conditions. The tourism experience providing unit 224 selects one of the multiple environmental data according to the user's situation, the situation of the actual tourist destination, etc., and provides the user with a virtual tourism experience. The method of selecting environmental data will be described later.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram of the virtual shop information 280. A store operator who wishes to do a product sales business in a virtual tourist destination sends a registration request specifying a product list and a desired store location (virtual tourist destination) from the store terminal 110 to the tourism server 200. The product list is a list of products that the store operator can provide, and includes information such as type, price, and stock amount. The store registration unit 218 registers the virtual store in the virtual store information 280, assigns a store ID (hereinafter referred to as "TID") to the virtual store, and assigns a store owner ID (hereinafter referred to as "MID") to the store operator. The virtual store information 280 is a list of virtual stores registered in the tourism server 200.

[0050] For example, a virtual store (T01) is operated by a store manager (M01) and is located in a virtual tourist destination (V01: Furano). Several store spaces are set up in advance in the virtual tourist destination, and the store registration unit 218 sets up a virtual store in an available space when registering a store. As described above, a product list (inventory list) is associated with the virtual store. The store manager transmits the latest product list to the tourist server 200 as appropriate.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a screen diagram showing the vicinity of a virtual store. The user operates the avatar to move through the virtual tourist spot and enter a virtual store that interests him / her. There are many product objects in the virtual store. A product object is a three-dimensional virtual object that has the same shape as an actual product and has a design image similar to that of the actual product attached to it. Product object is associated with product description information in advance. The product description information includes any information related to the product, such as the product name, manufacturer name, contents, content amount, and price. When the avatar selects a product object, the transmission unit 208 of the tourism server 200 transmits the product description information to the user terminal 300.

[0052] The user takes the product object they wish to purchase to a checkout area set up in the virtual store. When the avatar moves to the checkout area, the payment processor 228 first identifies the user ID, the product ID associated with the product object, and the store operator. Next, the payment processor 228 instructs the payment system 108 to transfer the product price from the user's (purchaser's) bank account to the store operator's bank account. After the transfer is complete, the payment system 108 transmits a payment completion notice to the tourism server 200.

[0053] When the delivery instruction unit 226 receives the payment completion notification, it sends a delivery instruction for the actual product to the store terminal 110. The delivery instruction includes the address of the user (purchaser) and the product ID. When the store operator receives the delivery instruction at the store terminal 110, the store operator picks up the product from its own warehouse, packs it, and mails it to the user's address.

[0054] In this way, by selecting a product object in a virtual store and bringing it to the checkout area, in other words by indicating an intention to purchase, the tourism server 200 settles the product price and delivers a real product corresponding to the product object. The user can also enjoy shopping while strolling around the virtual tourist spot.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a data structure diagram of the sightseeing history information 290. The sightseeing history information 290 is stored in the data storage unit 206 of the sightseeing server 200. The sightseeing history information 290 indicates virtual sightseeing spots that the user has visited. FIG. 10 shows the sightseeing history information 290 of a user (P01). According to the sightseeing history information 290, the user (P01) visited a virtual sightseeing spot (V09: Esashi) and a virtual sightseeing spot (V04: Osorezan) on September 15th. The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 selects environmental data of the virtual sightseeing spot according to the user's visit date and time.

[0056] When the user (P01) visits the virtual tourist spot (V09: Esashi) during the day (for example, from 11:00 to 16:00), the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 selects environmental data that meets the environmental condition of "daytime, September" from among multiple environmental data corresponding to the virtual tourist spot (V09: Esashi). By using such a control method, the user can experience a virtual tourist spot that corresponds to the same time and period as the time and period when the user visited the virtual tourist spot.

[0057] The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 also acquires weather information for the real tourist destination (Esashi) from an external site. When it is sunny in Esashi (the real tourist destination) on September 15th, the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 selects environmental data that matches the environmental condition of "sunny." This control method allows the user to experience the same weather in the virtual tourist destination as in the real tourist destination. Since the user can enjoy a virtual sightseeing experience that matches the actual environmental conditions, the user can imagine the actual state of the real tourist destination when experiencing the virtual tourist destination.

[0058] By visiting a virtual tourist spot, a user may wish to visit a real tourist spot as well. In such a case, the user inputs a desire to visit. For example, when the user is visiting a virtual tourist spot (V09: Esashi), the visit desire receiving unit 322 receives an input of a desire to visit Esashi (a real tourist spot) someday from the user. The transmitting unit 314 of the user terminal 300 transmits information indicating that Esashi is a desired visit spot together with the user ID to the tourism server 200.

[0059] The visit desire registration unit 230 of the tourism server 200 receives the visit desire from the user terminal 300 and adds a "desire to visit Esashi" to the "desire column" of the tourism history information 290. In FIG. 10, a user (P01) has set a desire to visit Esashi and Sapporo. The visit desire registration unit 230 registers the desired visit places in a visit list (not shown) for each user. The travel plan proposal unit 232 creates a travel plan based on the visit list (described later).

[0060] The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 refers to the sightseeing history information 290 and suggests recommended sightseeing destinations as shown in FIG. 3. As an example, the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may select a virtual sightseeing destination that the user has not visited as a recommended sightseeing destination. Specifically, the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may randomly select one virtual sightseeing destination from the virtual sightseeing destinations that the user has not visited, and suggest the selected virtual sightseeing destination as a recommended sightseeing destination. If the user (P01) has not visited "Nago", the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may display a message in the message area 244 saying "It seems that you have not yet experienced it, but Nago is recommended."

[0061] As another example, the tourism suggestion unit 222 may suggest recommended tourist destinations based on environmental conditions. Specifically, when it is snowing in Furano (a real tourist destination), the tourism suggestion unit 222 may display a message saying "Today, Furano is beautiful because it is snowing" in the message area 244. When it is actually snowing in Furano, the tourism experience providing unit 224 creates a virtual space corresponding to snowy Furano based on the environmental data of Furano corresponding to the environmental condition "snow."

[0062] The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may select a recommended sightseeing spot based on the number of visits and visiting conditions of the user to the virtual sightseeing spot. For example, assume that the user (P02) has visited the virtual sightseeing spot (V05: Risshakuji Temple) a predetermined number of times or more. When the environmental conditions at the time of the visit were "daytime, September, sunny" or "daytime, December, cloudy", the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may suggest Risshakuji Temple at "night" or Risshakuji Temple at "snow" as a recommended sightseeing spot that the user (P02) has not experienced. A user who has visited Risshakuji Temple a predetermined number of times or more is considered to like Risshakuji Temple. When it is snowing at Risshakuji Temple (a real sightseeing spot), the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may display a message to the user in the message area 244 saying, "Risshakuji Temple in snow can be seen now."

[0063] The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may suggest, as a recommended sightseeing spot, a virtual sightseeing spot that has a common point with a virtual sightseeing spot that the user has visited a predetermined number of times or more. For example, the virtual sightseeing spot (V01: Furano) is assigned with sightseeing attributes such as "Hokkaido", "nature", and "lavender". On the other hand, the virtual sightseeing spot (V02: Nemuro) is assigned with sightseeing attributes such as "Hokkaido", "nature", and "drift ice". When the user (P03) has visited the virtual sightseeing spot (V01: Furano) a predetermined number of times or more within a unit period, the user (P03) may be interested in sightseeing attributes such as "Hokkaido", "nature", and "lavender". In this case, the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may suggest, as a recommended sightseeing spot, a virtual sightseeing spot (V2: Nemuro) that has a common sightseeing attribute with Furano. In this case, the sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may display a message to the user (P03) in the message area 244 saying "If you like Furano, I'm sure you'll enjoy Nemuro too."

[0064] FIG. 11 is a screen shot of a travel plan screen 340. The travel plan proposal unit 232 creates a travel plan for an actual trip based on the visit list, i.e., a list of desired places to visit. Specifically, the travel plan proposal unit 232 automatically creates a travel plan that starts from the user's place of residence and passes through the desired places to visit, while utilizing an existing transfer guide service. The travel plan proposal unit 232 may include a hotel or inn that has been contracted in advance in the travel plan.

[0065] 11 proposes a two-day, one-night trip from Tokyo to "Sapporo" and "Esashi," with an overnight stay at a hotel in Sapporo. The travel plan suggestion unit 232 transmits the travel plan screen 340 to the user terminal 300, and the travel plan display unit 328 of the user terminal 300 displays the travel plan screen 340.

[0066] The travel plan screen 340 includes a modification button 342 and an application button 344. The user can touch the modification button 342 to display a travel plan modification screen (not shown). On the modification screen, the user can freely change the desired departure date, number of nights, hotel, transportation, etc. The travel plan proposal unit 232 may notify the user terminal 300 of the estimated travel cost. When the user touches the application button 344, the travel plan is finalized, and the travel arrangement unit 234 returns the travel plan to the tourism server 200. The travel plan proposal unit 232 transmits the travel plan to the travel agency 104.

[0067] The travel agency arranges transportation and accommodation according to the specified travel plan. Before making arrangements, the travel agency 104 notifies the user terminal 300 of the official travel cost and obtains the user's approval. After obtaining approval, the travel agency sends the arranged tickets etc. to the user. The payment processing unit 228 executes payment of the travel cost. The travel cost is debited from the user's bank account and transferred to the travel agency's bank account. In this way, after experiencing the virtual tourist spots, the user can set the places they wish to visit and have a real trip arranged for them to include the real tourist spots corresponding to their favorite virtual tourist spots.

[0068] [Summary] The virtual tourism system 100 has been described above based on the embodiment. According to this embodiment, a user can walk through a three-dimensional virtual tourist spot through an avatar provided by the tourism server 200. The tourism server 200 may provide images of the virtual tourist spot as stereoscopic images.

[0069] First, the user selects a virtual tourist spot that he / she wants to visit while looking at the map data. Since each tourist sphere 242 is displayed at a position corresponding to the address of the real tourist spot on the map data, the user can easily intuitively understand where each virtual tourist spot is located. For example, the user can tour the famous places of Hokkaido by visiting the many tourist spheres 242 floating in Hokkaido in order. In this case, the user can enjoy a virtual tour of Hokkaido.

[0070] By moving the viewpoint on the map data and entering the tourist sphere 242, the user can see the scenery of the virtual tourist spots unfold before his or her eyes. By seamlessly connecting the first map screen 240, the second map screen 250 and the virtual tourist screen 260 (virtual tourist spots), the user can experience the sensation of entering the virtual tourist spots like a bird from the air. In addition, since the user can enter the virtual tourist spots simply by entering the tourist sphere 242, the user can easily visit many virtual tourist spots in a short time.

[0071] Tourism managers can help users learn about the appeal of real tourist destinations by providing environmental data based on real tourist destinations. For example, the tip of the Noto Peninsula is an area with poor transportation access, but by having users experience the tip of the Noto Peninsula as a virtual tourist destination, they may become interested in the Noto Peninsula. By experiencing the virtual Noto Peninsula, users may be interested in visiting the real Noto Peninsula, even though transportation is poor. By having users experience virtual tourist destinations, tourism managers can effectively promote local tourism resources to users. Users can also visit Noto Peninsula (a real tourist destination) without anxiety, even if it is their first time there, if they have experienced it as a virtual tourist destination.

[0072] By visiting a virtual tourist destination, a user can receive a special product provided by the tourism operator. By providing special products, the tourism operator can easily attract users to the virtual tourist destination. Furthermore, if the tourism operator can attract users to the virtual tourist destination with special products, the tourism operator can encourage users to make purchases at a virtual store set up within the virtual tourist destination.

[0073] The user may reserve a date and time for visiting the virtual tourist spot. In this case, the delivery instruction unit 226 may instruct the store terminal 110 to deliver a special product corresponding to the virtual tourist spot to the user in advance. For example, when the user virtually tours Tamba, if local sake from Tamba is delivered to the user by the reserved date, the user can virtually tour Tamba while enjoying the local sake from Tamba.

[0074] Users can enjoy shopping at virtual stores set up in virtual tourist destinations. The virtual stores allow store managers to expand profit opportunities. So-called online shopping is difficult for elderly people who are not familiar with computers. In this embodiment, users can move their avatars and select and purchase products in the same way as they would in real shopping.

[0075] Compared to real stores, virtual stores have lower operating costs, so it may be possible to lower or even eliminate store opening fees. Virtual store owners may be limited to local store operators. For example, the opening of virtual stores in a virtual tourist destination (Sapporo) may be limited to store operators who have real stores in Sapporo. By limiting the areas in which each store operator can open stores within the virtual space, it becomes easier to protect the brand value of products.

[0076] Tourism operators can let users know about real tourist destinations by registering environmental data in the virtual tourism system 100. Operators of the virtual tourism system 100 can infinitely enhance their services by having users register environmental data from various places. The more virtual tourist destinations are registered, the more users can continue to enjoy the virtual tourism service without getting bored. In addition, the more virtual tourist destinations there are, the more active it is expected that special offers will become.

[0077] The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 can suggest recommended sightseeing spots based on the user's sightseeing history information 290. By suggesting recommended sightseeing spots, the user is less likely to get lost at his / her destination even when the number of registered virtual sightseeing spots increases.

[0078] The tourist experience providing unit 224 selects environmental data based on the time and season when the virtual tourist destination is visited and the current weather of the real tourist destination. This allows the user to enjoy virtual sightseeing with a sense of reality. In addition, preparing multiple environmental data for one virtual tourist destination has the effect of preventing the user from getting bored. For example, different virtual tourist experiences are provided in Furano in winter and Furano in summer, which can increase the revisit rate of the virtual tourist destination.

[0079] Environmental data corresponding to special events, not limited to weather, may be prepared. For example, drift ice can be seen in Nemuro. The tourist experience providing unit 224 may provide a virtual tourist experience in Nemuro using environmental data that allows drift ice to be seen only during the period when drift ice occurs in Nemuro, based on information provided by Nemuro City.

[0080] Specifically, when drift ice reaches the shore of real Nemuro on March 10, the tourism experience providing unit 224 provides a virtual tourism experience of Nemuro based on the environmental data "drift ice reaching the shore" on the same day. If the user visits virtual Nemuro on March 10, he or she can enjoy drift ice reaching the shore in a virtual space. Even if the user cannot visit real Nemuro on March 10, when the special event of drift ice reaching the shore occurs, the user can enjoy drift ice observation in virtual Nemuro while imagining the state of real Nemuro. According to this control method, the user can look forward to the arrival of the season when drift ice can be observed, and can look forward to a virtual tourism experience when drift ice actually appears. Special events can include various things other than drift ice, such as meteors, auroras, the blooming of lavender or cherry blossoms, typhoons, and sea turtle eggs.

[0081] When a user likes a virtual tourist spot, the user can register it as a place they would like to visit and have the tourist server 200 arrange a real trip for them. Through the virtual experience, the user can receive a travel plan that matches the image of where they want to go and what they want to do on their real trip. In addition, there is an advantage for the travel agency 104 in that they can stimulate real travel demand through virtual trips.

[0082] The best part of traveling is sightseeing and shopping. If we can provide fun virtual sightseeing, we can make users want to experience real sightseeing as well. Virtual sightseeing can be an opportunity to attract users to real tourist spots. In addition, virtual sightseeing can also serve as a rehearsal for real sightseeing, so users can feel as if they are visiting a real tourist spot for the first time, even if it is their first time actually visiting the real tourist spot. For example, by walking around a virtual Sapporo, even if you have never been there, you can get familiar with the area, which is thought to enable efficient sightseeing when you actually go to Sapporo. In this way, even if it is a tourist spot you have never visited before, you can be given the freshness of a trip as well as the reassurance that it is not completely new.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples, and the components can be modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples. In addition, some components can be deleted from all the components shown in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples.

[0084] Although the virtual tourism system 100 has been described as being composed of a plurality of user terminals 300 and one tourism server 200, some of the functions of the user terminal 300 may be realized by the tourism server 200, or some of the functions of the tourism server 200 may be assigned to the user terminal 300. In addition, a third device other than the user terminal 300 and the tourism server 200 may perform some of the functions of the user terminal 300 or the tourism server 200. The collection of each function of the user terminal 300 and each function of the tourism server 200 described in FIG. 2 can be understood as one "virtual tourism system" in a broad sense. How to allocate a plurality of functions necessary for realizing the present invention to one or more pieces of hardware may be determined in consideration of the processing capacity of each piece of hardware, the specifications required for the virtual tourism system 100, and the like.

[0085] [Variations] The user terminal 300 may be a dedicated device installed in a department store, an Internet cafe, a game center, etc. This device may completely shield the user like a cockpit, and may express the physical sensations of a virtual sightseeing experience by tilting the seat.

[0086] Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to domestic travel, it is also possible to apply the present invention to overseas travel. For example, a virtual overseas trip may be realized by recreating cities such as Dublin or Amsterdam in a virtual space.

[0087] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between tourist destinations and environmental data in the modified example. A single virtual tourist spot may be associated with multiple virtual locations. For example, a virtual tourist spot A shown in Fig. 12 is associated with multiple virtual locations such as a park A1, a shopping district A2, a port A3, and an ancient tomb An. Environmental data (spatial data and sound data) may be associated with each virtual location.

[0088] A plurality of tourist spheres 242 may be prepared corresponding to a plurality of virtual locations. For example, for a virtual tourist spot A, a tourist sphere 242 corresponding to a park A1, a tourist sphere 242 corresponding to a shopping district A2, etc. may be prepared. The user approaches tourist spot A on the map screen, selects a tourist sphere 242 from the plurality of tourist spheres 242 arranged at tourist spot A, and enters it.

[0089] A vast virtual space including multiple virtual points may be provided for one virtual tourist destination. In this case, the user can enjoy visiting park A1, shopping district A2, etc. on foot (as an avatar) while walking around the vast virtual tourist destination A. On the other hand, the virtual space may be divided into virtual points as shown in FIG. 12. In this case, the user can select a tourist destination such as park A1 in tourist destination A or shopping district A2 in tourist destination A, eliminating the worry of getting lost in the vast virtual space.

[0090] In the present embodiment, the user registers the desired visit places while touring the virtual tourist spots. As a modified example, the visit desire registration unit 230 may display the sightseeing history information 290 on the user terminal 300, and the user may refer to the sightseeing history information 290 and select the desired visit places, for example, by checking the check boxes.

[0091] The operator of the tourism server 200 may collect a registration fee for virtual tourist destinations from tourism operators. The tourism proposal unit 222 may randomly select recommended tourist destinations and propose them to the user. The tourism proposal unit 222 may change the selection probability of a recommended tourist destination depending on the presence or absence of a registration fee or the amount of the registration fee. Specifically, the tourism proposal unit 222 may adjust the selection probability of each virtual tourist destination so that it increases as the registration fee increases, thereby controlling the selection probability so that virtual tourist destinations with high registration fees are more likely to be recommended while still being based on randomness.

[0092] The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may have a concierge function. The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 presents questions such as "Which do you prefer, the sea or the mountains?", "Have you ever been to Hokkaido?", and "Are you interested in drift ice?" to the user, and the user answers the questions from the sightseeing suggestion unit 222. The sightseeing suggestion unit 222 may determine recommended sightseeing spots based on the answers from the user. For example, when the user responds positively to the sightseeing attributes of "nature" and "mountains", virtual sightseeing spots having these sightseeing attributes may be proposed as recommended sightseeing spots.

[0093] Tourism operators may change the reward items depending on the season. By offering different reward items for winter visits and summer visits, the rate at which users return to the site can be increased.

[0094] The user may be able to freely select environmental data. For example, when the user wants to experience "Furano on a summer morning", the user enters the tourist sphere 242 of the virtual tourist destination (Furano) and then inputs environmental conditions such as "summer" and "morning". At this time, the tourist experience providing unit 224 may provide the user with a virtual tourist experience based on the environmental data of Furano that matches the environmental conditions of "summer" and "morning".

[0095] The spatial data is constructed based on images captured by the tourism operator while walking on the ground or driving a car. As a variant, the viewpoint (image capture position) of the spatial data may be set to a point other than the ground. For example, by mounting a spherical camera on an aerial or underwater drone, spatial data may be constructed from a viewpoint different from that on the ground.

[0096] When taking part in a virtual tour, the user may be able to select a virtual space based on terrestrial imaging, a virtual space based on aerial imaging, or a virtual space based on underwater imaging.

[0097] A user may register as a paid member or a free member with the tourism server 200. The tourism experience providing unit 224 may provide a virtual tourism experience based on aerial spatial data only to paid members.

[0098] Among the multiple environmental data, special environmental data that can be experienced only by users who meet a predetermined qualification condition may be prepared. For example, the tourist experience providing unit 224 may provide an icebreaker cruise experience in Nemuro only to paid members. Alternatively, the tourist experience providing unit 224 may provide an icebreaker experience only to users who have purchased a product at a virtual store in Nemuro, or only to users who have purchased an icebreaker boat ticket. In addition, the tourist experience providing unit 224 may provide an icebreaker experience only to users who have visited virtual Nemuro a predetermined number of times, for example, five times or more.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the user is described as freely walking around the virtual space through the avatar. As a modified example, the user's avatar may automatically move along a predetermined route in the virtual tourist spot. In the case of automatic movement, the user can automatically tour the virtual tourist spot as if enjoying a movie. The tourist experience providing unit 224 may provide the user with a virtual experience of skiing downhill from the perspective of a skier, using spatial data obtained by capturing images of the skier with a spherical camera.

[0100] The sound data may be environmental sounds or music (BGM: Background Music). For example, the tourism experience providing unit 224 may play local music such as folk songs as the sound data. Alternatively, when strolling around tourist spot A, the tourism experience providing unit 224 may play music by a musician who is originally from tourist spot A. In addition, the user may freely select music to be played during the virtual tourism experience.

[0101] In the present embodiment, the tourism server 200 prepares environmental data in advance, and provides a virtual tourism experience based on the environmental data when accessed by a user. As a modified example, the user may remotely control an unmanned vehicle or drone equipped with a spherical camera. For example, when the user selects a virtual tourist destination (V02: Abashiri), a drone waiting in Abashiri may be activated. The user remotely controls the drone in Abashiri through the user terminal 300. Then, the image captured by the spherical camera mounted on the drone is transmitted to the tourism server 200, and the tourism experience providing unit 224 transmits the captured image to the user terminal 300, allowing the user to enjoy a virtual tourism experience close to an actual experience.

[0102] A large number of avatars simultaneously exist in the virtual tourist destination. Assume that a user (P01) and a user (P02) enter the same tourist sphere 242 at the same time. At this time, the avatar of the user (P01) (hereinafter, referred to as "avatar (P01)") can meet another avatar (P02) at the virtual tourist destination. As described above, the conversation processing unit 220 relays the conversation between the user (P01) and the user (P02).

[0103] When user (P01) and user (P03) are friends or family, user (P01) and user (P03) may meet at the same time at the same tourist sphere 242. Multiple users can share a virtual sightseeing experience by exploring the same virtual tourist spot at the same time. In addition, the travel agency 104 may plan a tour trip targeting the virtual tourist spot. As with real tourism, a virtual tour trip can be organized by determining the date and time of operation and the minimum number of participants, and having a tour guide (avatar) guide multiple users (avatars).

[0104] Not only tourist spheres 242 corresponding to virtual tourist spots, but also virtual spheres corresponding to event venues (hereinafter referred to as "event spheres") may be displayed on the map data. A user enters an event sphere scattered on the map using a user interface similar to that used for entering a tourist sphere 242. Similar to virtual tourist spots, event spheres are associated with virtual event venues. At virtual event venues, for example, concerts, shareholders' meetings, company information sessions, new product presentations, international conferences, trade fairs, exhibitions, etc. are held.

[0105] A plurality of users can communicate within the event sphere through avatars. For example, the conversation processing unit 220 sets a conversation range within the virtual space with the avatar (P01) at the center. When the user (P01) speaks, the conversation processing unit 220 transmits the spoken voice to the user terminals 300 corresponding to other avatars within the conversation range for the avatar (P01). The output unit 312 of the user terminal 300 outputs the spoken voice. On the other hand, the spoken voice is not transmitted to the user terminals 300 corresponding to the avatars outside the conversation range.

[0106] In this way, the remarks of the user (P01) are only transmitted to the users corresponding to the nearby avatars. Therefore, even in the virtual event venue, the user (P01) can converse with the avatars of other people who are near his / her avatar (P01).

[0107] A real meeting and a virtual meeting may be linked. A real meeting is a normal meeting held by real people gathering at a real venue. A large monitor, a speaker, and a sound-collecting microphone are installed at the venue of the real meeting. When an avatar speaks at a virtual meeting, the conversation processing unit 220 outputs the spoken voice from the speaker of the real meeting. Meanwhile, the sound of the real meeting is collected by a sound-collecting microphone, and the conversation processing unit 220 transmits the sound of the real meeting to each user terminal 300 participating in the virtual meeting. Also, an image of the virtual meeting may be displayed on a monitor in the real space, and a video of the real meeting may be displayed on a user terminal participating in the virtual meeting. According to such a control method, even a user who cannot participate in a real meeting can participate in the meeting through the virtual meeting.

[0108] In the above description, the travel plan proposal unit 232 creates a travel plan for the desired places to be visited. As a modified example, the travel plan proposal unit 232 may order an airline ticket to the desired places to be visited from the travel agency 104 or the like. Similarly, the travel plan proposal unit 232 may instruct the purchase of travel tickets, hotel reservations, souvenirs, etc., by accessing a server of a provider that provides a MaaS (Mobility as a Service) service.

[0109] Similar to the tourist sphere 242, virtual spheres (hereinafter referred to as "market spheres") corresponding to shopping malls and markets may be displayed on the map data. A user enters a market sphere scattered on the map with a user interface similar to that for entering the tourist sphere 242. A space in which various products can be purchased is associated with the market sphere, similar to a virtual tourist spot. The virtual market space may be configured as a virtual space corresponding to an actual market, such as Washo Market in Kushiro or Hirome Market in Kochi. A user can purchase various product objects in the virtual market with a user interface similar to that described in relation to FIG. 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100 Virtual tourism system, 102 Real tourist destination, 104 Travel agency, 106 Internet, 108 Payment system, 110 Shop terminal, 200 Tourism server, 202 Communication unit, 204 Data processing unit, 206 Data storage unit, 208 Transmission unit, 210 Reception unit, 216 Tourist destination registration unit, 218 Shop registration unit, 220 Conversation processing unit, 222 Tourism proposal unit, 224 Tourism experience provision unit, 226 Delivery instruction unit, 228 Payment processing unit, 230 Visit request registration unit, 232 Travel plan proposal unit, 234 Travel arrangement unit, 240 First map screen, 242 Tourism sphere, 244 Message area, 250 Second map screen, 260 Virtual tourism screen, 270 Virtual tourist destination information, 280 Virtual shop information, 290 Tourist history information, 300 User terminal, 302 User interface processing unit, 304 communication unit, 306 data processing unit, 308 data storage unit, 310 input unit, 312 output unit, 314 transmission unit, 316 reception unit, 320 tourist spot selection unit, 322 visit request reception unit, 324 map display unit, 326 virtual space display unit, 328 travel plan display unit, 340 travel plan screen, 342 modification button, 344 application button

Claims

1. a tourist spot registration unit that acquires spatial data consisting of captured images of real tourist spots together with address information of the real tourist spots, and registers virtual tourist spots corresponding to the real tourist spots in map data based on the address information; a map display unit that displays the positions of a plurality of virtual tourist spots on map data; a tourist spot selection unit that accepts a selection of a virtual tourist spot on the map data from a user; a tourism experience providing unit that provides a virtual tourism experience to a user by displaying a virtual space corresponding to a virtual tourism destination selected by the user based on spatial data of the real tourism destination; a visit request receiving unit that receives a request from a user to register the virtual tourist spot as a desired visit spot after the user has visited the virtual tourist spot; a visit desire registration unit that, when the registration request is accepted, registers the virtual tourist destination to be visited and the user ID of the user in a visit list in association with each other; A virtual tourism system comprising: a travel plan proposal unit that generates a travel plan that passes from the user's place of residence through one or more real tourist destinations corresponding to each of the one or more virtual tourist destinations registered in the visit list.

2. A virtual tourism system as described in claim 1, further comprising a travel arrangement unit that instructs an external travel agency to arrange a real trip based on the travel plan.

3. a store registration unit that accepts registration of a virtual store together with a designation of a virtual tourist spot where the virtual store is located, and registers the virtual store in association with the virtual tourist spot; a payment processing unit that executes a payment process for a product when a purchase instruction for the product from the virtual store is received from a user at the virtual tourist spot associated with the virtual store; The virtual tourism system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a delivery instruction unit for instructing a store terminal associated with the virtual store to deliver the product to a user who has purchased the product.

4. 2. The virtual tourism system according to claim 1, further comprising a tourism suggestion unit that selects one of a plurality of virtual tourist destinations registered in the map data and suggests a recommended tourist destination to the user.

5. The virtual tourism system according to claim 4 , wherein the sightseeing suggestion unit suggests recommended sightseeing spots based on the user's sightseeing history in the virtual sightseeing spots.

6. the tourist attraction registration unit registers, for one existing tourist attraction, a plurality of types of spatial data based on a plurality of types of captured images according to date and time; The virtual tourism system according to claim 1 , wherein the tourism experience providing unit displays a virtual space based on any one of a plurality of types of spatial data corresponding to a virtual tourist destination selected by a user.

7. The virtual tourism system according to claim 6, wherein the tourism experience providing unit selects one of a plurality of types of spatial data based on the date and time when the user selects the virtual tourist destination, and displays a virtual space based on the selected spatial data.

8. The tourist attraction registration unit further acquires sound data collected at the actual tourist attraction, The virtual tourism system according to claim 1 , wherein the tourism experience providing unit outputs the sound data when providing a virtual tourism experience to a user.

9. The tourist attraction registration unit acquires, for one existing tourist attraction, spatial data based on an image captured on the ground and spatial data based on an image captured in the air, The virtual tourism system according to claim 1 , wherein the tourism experience providing unit displays a virtual space based on any one of a plurality of types of spatial data corresponding to a virtual tourist destination selected by a user.

10. the tourist attraction registration unit acquires, for one existing tourist attraction, a plurality of types of spatial data based on a plurality of types of captured images according to weather conditions; The virtual tourism system of claim 1, wherein the tourism experience providing unit selects one of a plurality of types of spatial data based on the weather at the real tourist destination at the time the user selects the virtual tourist destination, and displays a virtual space based on the selected spatial data.

11. The virtual tourism system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a delivery instruction unit that instructs a user who has visited a virtual tourist destination to ship a product corresponding to the virtual tourist destination.

Images