Technology Tourism | A Comprehensive Introduction
Both tourism and technology are two dynamic and constantly changing and evolving entities. The geometric leaps in the evolution of technology could not leave tourism unchanged. Technology tourism is a kind of thematic tourism that remains in constant interaction, in a state of evolution.
In short, the concept is defined as the type of tourism that involves the exploration of the most modern technologies and the understanding of their evolution through time. By studying the technologies of the past, it is easier to understand the leaps and bounds that have been recorded in recent decades. Thus, on these trips, tourists have unique experiences, indulge into the world of technology and also come into contact with all the latest innovations.
It is very important to make a clarification at this point. The term does not simply refer to a tour of museums and laboratories simply by using the latest technology, such as augmented digital reality or virtual reality (VR).
Main destinations
The destinations for tourists in this sector do not limit to conventional, archaeological museums and cultural sites. It is not uncommon to see exhibitions focusing on the evolution of technology over the centuries. Technology museums attract the interest not only of people related to the technology sector, but also of older people. This is the so-called “silver tourism”. Regarding Greece, some exceptional examples are the Thessaloniki Science and Technology Museum (NOESIS) and Hellenic Museum of technology (EMT).
Closely related are also technology companies, which present, in an organised way, parts of the services they offer and ‘open’ their offices to the public. Similarly, in industries, interested parties could be, properly, educated about the stages of production of products. They could also learn about the changes, taking place over time. They could have an overview of the evolution marked so far and under what conditions the same products are, now, produced in these modern times. The list also consists of establishments or clubs with appropriate facilities that bring together people. These gatherings aim to the discussion of technology issues.
Who it concerns
As briefly mentioned above, technology tourism does not only aim at stakeholders from the industry itself. It has a very specific theme that can offer many benefits, such as training, entertainment and even the broadening of horizons on past technology issues. It could be a retrospective on technologies, not only modern, but also of the past. The historicity of technologies would be traced by both young and older people, reminiscing about the past. Technology tourism does not aim at specific age groups either. In recent years there has been an algebraic increase in tourism of older age groups, or ‘silver tourism’. This group of people could reminisce back to the old days and follow the path of technological development.
Author: PC-GR
The World of Technology
