Virtual excursion’s role in training future tourism employees

Abstract

Historical and cultural tourist resources are often used in training future tourism specialists. Their use in virtual excursions is substantial. University research and teaching staff are trying to use the educational potential of virtual excursions. To help them be aware of the available virtual excursions, the article describes their assortment. The authors reveal the difficulties in understanding the terminology related to virtual excursions; the meaning of the term “virtual excursion” is specified to avoid any misunderstandings. There were analyzed the proposals of virtual excursions in the Ukrainian tourist services market and classified into thematic groups: museums, separate tourist attractions, and art. Each group was illustrated with examples of available virtual excursions. It was found out that in Ukraine the virtual excursions to ethnographic museums prevail over the other types. At the same time, new types are appearing with the help of free online services thanks to which the educational potential of virtual excursions increases greatly.