Tourism has always been associated with emotions, discoveries, and memories. But in 2025, travel will also be associated with technology. Augmented reality is no longer just an experiment — it is becoming the infrastructure for tourism. Today, thanks to WebAR technology, travelers don’t need to download apps: they scan a QR code, open a link, and get an immersive AR layer right in their smartphone browser.
Thousands of creators and companies are already testing these ideas on the MyWebAR platform. And you can too. Here are 12 ideas using AR that may inspire you to start a new project in the tourism industry.
1. Living souvenirs
A magnet, keychain, or postcard doesn’t have to be static. With AR, they can tell a story: a 3D character greeting travelers, a mini-documentary about a landmark, or a musical performance recorded on the streets of the city. Guests don’t just take a souvenir home with them — they take a piece of the city that literally comes to life.
On the MyWebAR platform, you can use Image Tracking or Real World Tracking, or you can add an AR layer using 3D Object Tracking — a real work of art.
2. Postcards with AR
Classic postcards, even those sent from the most distant countries in the world, often end up in a desk drawer. But postcards with AR turn into memorable souvenirs: the Eiffel Tower comes to life with animation, the waterfall roars, and a historical figure tells their story. With the AI Text-to-3D tools on MyWebAR, you can create such content in minutes, even without 3D design skills.
3. Interactive maps
Every traveler needs a map. Yes, Google Maps usually saves the day, but imagine a map that you get at your hotel reception, and this map “comes to life”: hotels, city museums, AR navigation of the entire hotel complex or cruise ship decks with step-by-step navigation, animated routes, or landmarks appearing in 3D. Tourists can scan a QR code and get a tour of the resort or even collect digital “stamps” along the way.
4. Quests and treasure hunts
Gamification makes travel unforgettable. AR quests turn sightseeing into a game: guests scan codes, solve puzzles, find hidden clues in monuments, and collect virtual prizes. Don’t forget to track analytics on the MyWebAR platform to monitor engagement and discover what interests your visitors the most — and at the same time, adjust your AR content.
5. Digital catalogs and brochures
Traditional catalogs and brochures are heavy and static. In AR, the catalog becomes interactive: hotels present tours of rooms, restaurants show seasonal dishes in 3D, and travel agencies add video guides. For example, a printed brochure for a ski resort can unfold into a 3D model of the slopes that “come to life” right on the table in front of you.
6. AR on buildings and facades
Historic buildings, modern art museums, and even cafes can “speak” through AR. Visitors point their phones and see reconstructions, animations, or stories superimposed on real facades. It’s like traveling through time: ruins restored in 3D, old markets brought back to life, or an architect explaining the style of a building. Or, additional beautiful layers of digital art can be added to buildings and cultural sites.
7. AR-enabled travel guide covers
What if your travel guide started telling its story before you even opened it? An AR-enabled cover could launch a trailer: a video greeting from the author, animated route snippets, or a 3D map giving a glimpse of what’s inside. Publishers are already using this idea to stand out, and it’s a new way to combine print and digital technologies.
8. Live menus and gastronomic experiences
Food is at the heart of travel. AR menus allow guests to see dishes in real size before ordering, explore ingredients, or view the chef’s story. With the help of artificial intelligence tools in MyWebAR, it now takes just a few clicks to create such 3D dishes. This approach not only stimulates sales but also reduces misunderstandings in international restaurants thanks to multilingual AR menus.
9. Exhibitions and cultural sites
Museums and galleries are the perfect venues for AR. Visitors can point their phones at an artifact and see its reconstruction, hear the story of its creation, or even interact with characters from history. In MyWebAR, city organizations are already creating AR exhibitions using Spatial Tracking, which makes the experience more immersive.
10. Hotels and cruise ships
Navigating large spaces can be a daunting task. AR guides help travelers find their way around a hotel, locate a spa or conference room, or explore the decks of a cruise ship. Multi-level information allows guests to feel comfortable, and businesses gain the ability to interact directly without hiring additional staff.
11. Travel packages and loyalty cards
Even a plastic card or paper ticket can become a digital channel. Add an AR layer: a welcome video, travel tips, special offers, or loyalty points. This turns ordinary materials into a communication tool that increases customer retention and loyalty. Don’t forget that you can change and add to your AR content without having to change the QR code, which means you don’t have to reissue new batches of cards for guests.
12. Art collaborations
Restaurants and hotels are already collaborating with digital artists to create unique AR scenes for their guests. Imagine a seasonal menu presented not only as text but also as an AR performance on the table. These digital experiences make every visit an event and encourage guests to share their discoveries on social media.
Why it matters
Tourism is at the intersection of pleasure, discovery, and technology. AR amplifies this connection by giving physical things — maps, menus, tickets, facades, souvenirs — a digital “second life.”
And the best part? With WebAR and AI tools on MyWebAR, you no longer need a studio to create this kind of content. What once cost thousands and took weeks can now be built in days, often by marketers or managers themselves.
So take these ideas, test them in your business, and don’t wait for the future — it’s already here, in the palm of your hand.
