YourTour, the team behind ‘Virtual Visits‘, are delighted to announce that, last week, we were declared “Best Technological Innovation” at the 2020 Travolution Awards!

Among the most highly coveted accolades in the travel and tourism sector, the Travolution Awards celebrate the very best in digital travel tech across twenty-five categories. Judged by a leading panel of industry experts, winners are chosen based on outstanding innovation and first-class user experience.

This year, we were presented with the “Best Technological Innovation” award, which recognises the most innovative software or hardware product developed within the travel sector over the past year. Up against some stiff competition, YourTour took home the top prize based on our product’s original design and impressive user experience, as well as our positive impact upon the travel sector.

Launched in early 2020, Virtual Visits uses the latest 360-degree video technology to let anyone remotely explore historic landmarks via a fully-immersive 360-video walkthrough – all from the comfort of their own home on tablet, smartphone, desktop or VR headset.

Against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, YourTour were praised for how their immersive technology had not only revolutionised digital storytelling, but also provided the UK’s paralysed travel industry with a new method of engaging with their customers. By recreating the feel of an in-person experience, YourTour were able to provide fun and educational “escapes” for those who were self-isolating through exciting partnerships with the National Trust Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The Wallace Collection.

Our Managing Director and co-founder Brett Harding said, “There is no doubt that 2020 has been a year full of challenges, but the travel industry has remained resilient, introducing new and creative ways of interacting with customers. We are delighted to have been awarded such a prestigious accolade and would like to thank our amazingly talented team, as well as our clients, partners, and investors for their invaluable support”.

Travolution’s Executive Editor, Lee Hayhurst, also commented, “We know that tech will be at the heart of travel’s recovery from what has to be the most devastating year for the sector ever, but one which we are sure it can survive due to the kind of ingenuity, passion and commitment from the people and companies we have honoured this year”.

In keeping with the government’s regulations, award winners were announced online on December 3rd 2020. You can learn more about the awards by visiting their official website.

YourTour’s Virtual Visits are what virtual tours should have been. By combining leading 360-video technology with audio narration and visual FX, we offer our users an unparalleled window into the UK’s most exclusive historical landmarks, attractions and cultural heritage sites. To learn more about our available tours, click here.