The Urgency of Virtual Tour for Sumatran Butterfly Conservation

Abstract

Traveling is part of the activities for doing tourism. We have experience in tourism destinations. Due to COVID-19, people have limitations on the mobilization to travel. In 2020, a report was telling that tourism is the most affected business sector. Since the pandemic, we need to change our interactions. Most of our activities are moved digitally. On the other hand, we still have needed to fulfil. It shows the urgency of technology development to embrace the people's experience (user experience). The needs of traveling to tourism destinations, supported by technology. Developing a virtual tour in butterfly park has an urgency to stress spreading the knowledge of butterfly conservation, and it relies on the experience of doing the tourism. Tourist experience has to enable the feeling of being involved in the situation. Understanding the components is essential to the occasion. There are critical components for developing the user experience in Butterfly Park. We need a database on existing butterflies, vegetation (plants and flowers), and the butterfly park map. The virtual tourist can experience sight (seen using eyes) and sound (hear by ear), but they cannot feel by touch. That becomes the challenge for the development of these technologies. Taman Kupu-Kupu Gita Persada Virtual Reality Tour able to replicate some experience to users in visiting virtual tourist spots, viewing information on virtual tourist spots, and chose a location for virtual tourist spots. It is quite effective as a medium to experience tour and learn about conservation based on usability survey which resulted in 95% visitors are satisfied. Tourist experience is enabled the feeling of being involved in the situation by using Taman Kupu-Kupu Gita Persada Virtual Reality Tour. The experience will raise awareness for Sumatran butterfly conservation.