Asia tourist sector blends real and virtual to lure back visitors

From Thai elephants to Japanese fish, digital tours gain ground after coronavirus

An avatar robot lets people tour the New Yashima Aquarium on the island of Shikoku from the comfort of home. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi/ANA)

ERI SUGIURA and COCO LIU, Nikkei staff writers

June 4, 2020 13:22 JST

TOKYO/HONG KONG -- Shintaro Kobara paid a different sort of visit to a Japanese aquarium last month. Amazed by rare "sea cows" as well as blue and yellow fish, the 12-year-old took a tour of the New Yashima Aquarium on the island of Shikoku -- all while staying at home, thanks to an avatar robot.