Wales launches metaverse experience

Wales has become the first UK nation to launch a metaverse experience, giving virtual visitors a taste of what they can discover there for real.

It has been created by Visit Wales to inspire future tourists by showcasing the range of experiences, places and attractions available to explore across Wales in real life.

The metaverse means that instead of being on a computer, you might use a headset to enter a virtual world connecting all sorts of digital environments and interacting with others.

Visitors can navigate the Welsh-inspired landscape as a virtual version of themselves, whilst seeing a snapshot of the country’s culture and heritage through a range of features.

These include a cable car ride for visitors to travel from one side of the metaverse to the other and an amphitheatre with screens showcasing highlights of Wales’ vibrant music and culture.

Global visitors to the metaverse number 600 million annually across a number of metaverse platforms, with Wales’ one being hosted on the platform Spatial. 

Anyone entering the Wales metaverse can take on quests as well, including collecting hidden dragons and building a virtual interactive itinerary which showcases real-life places to stay, attractions and events.

The Welsh world has been created in partnership with Swansea-based Meta architects, iCreate.

Hannah Blythyn, minister for tourism, said: “By showcasing some of the best Wales has to offer visitors in this incredibly innovative way, we’re putting Wales in an online sphere where millions of people already meet every day.

She said the launch into the metaverse is a “wonderful showcase of digital expertise” across the country. 

The Visit Wales Metaverse is open to the public, and is accessible via smartphone, tablet, laptop, computer, and via Meta Quest headset.