By Bryan Tropeano
As summer 2025 kicks off, many travelers are asking: What is the future of augmented reality in tourism? Once a futuristic buzzword, AR is now becoming a key part of how we plan and enjoy vacations. This summer, augmented reality is transforming trips by making sightseeing more interactive, planning easier, and experiences more personalized than ever before.
Smarter Sightseeing for Real-World Destinations
If you’re heading to Europe, Asia, or even a national park in the U.S., AR will likely be part of your experience—whether you realize it or not. Popular travel apps now include AR overlays that guide tourists through historic sites, show reconstructions of ancient ruins, or bring museum exhibits to life. To understand how this technology works, check out this detailed overview of augmented reality technology explained.
Want to see what the Acropolis looked like in its prime? Just hold up your phone or wear a pair of AR glasses, and the past blends into the present. This summer, more cities and cultural institutions are embracing AR as a way to offer deeper, on-the-go storytelling without hiring a tour guide. If you’re curious about the devices making this possible, here’s a look at the latest AR glasses for travel.
Enhanced Trip Planning Before You Go
For many vacationers, the AR experience starts well before boarding the plane. Travel platforms and hotel booking sites have rolled out AR previews—letting users virtually walk through a resort, explore a cruise ship deck, or even check the view from a balcony room. This level of visualization helps families plan more confidently and eliminates much of the guesswork that used to come with booking travel online.
Keeping up with evolving trends is key. Learn more about travel industry trends 2025 to see how AR fits into the bigger picture of tourism innovation. Plus, a variety of apps can help bring your trip to life; explore the best augmented reality travel apps before you go.
Fun and Educational for Kids and Teens
Summer trips with kids often involve a balance of entertainment and education—and AR bridges that gap perfectly. A visit to a historic battlefield, aquarium, or nature trail becomes more engaging with animated overlays, interactive scavenger hunts, or real-time trivia. For a great resource on AR tools designed for younger users, check out this list of educational AR apps for kids.
For teens, AR-powered apps can turn any walk through a city into a game-like experience, making sightseeing feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. It’s a fun, screen-friendly way to keep kids learning without them feeling like they’re in school.
A More Accessible Vacation Experience
One of the biggest wins for AR this summer is how it’s making travel more inclusive. People with mobility or visual impairments can use AR for voice navigation, terrain awareness, or custom tour routes that avoid stairs or crowds. For insights on how AR helps with travel access, read about how AR improves travel accessibility.
For multilingual travelers, AR apps that translate signs and menus in real time reduce the stress of being in an unfamiliar country. It’s no longer just about convenience—it’s about making the world more navigable for everyone.
AR Glasses on the Rise
While smartphones are still the most common way to experience AR, summer 2025 is seeing more adoption of AR glasses. They’re lighter, more stylish, and now available at consumer-friendly prices. Expect to see vacationers strolling through cities or theme parks with glasses that quietly guide them from one destination to the next, highlight nearby attractions, or translate languages on the fly—all without interrupting the real-world view.
Many museums and cultural sites have already begun implementing these technologies. For examples of institutions leading the way, see museums using augmented reality.
Environmental Impact and Virtual Tourism
AR also opens the door to more sustainable travel options. Virtual tourism powered by AR lets people explore places without the carbon footprint of flying. This summer, many will experience some destinations virtually, helping reduce overcrowding and environmental impact. Learn more about the virtual tourism and environmental benefits.
The Bottom Line
Augmented reality is no longer a side feature—it’s becoming a core part of modern tourism. This summer, it’s helping travelers get more out of their trips, whether through better planning, immersive cultural experiences, or making family vacations more interactive. The rise of augmented reality in tourism is making vacations more engaging and personalized for everyone.
If you’re heading out this season, keep an eye out. The best memories may come not just from where you go, but how AR helps you see it in an entirely new way.
Learn more about emerging technology trends on NewsWatchTV.
About the Author: Bryan is a senior producer and a regular reporter for NewsWatch. He lives in Washington D.C. and loves all things Tech.
