Tourism body Visit Wales hopes the new initiative will attract those visiting the "virtual Wales" to also visit the country in the real world in future.
Wales reporter @TomosGruffydd
Monday 13 May 2024 01:50, UK
Wales has become the first UK nation to join the metaverse.
The launch of Wales in the metaverse hopes to give virtual visitors from all over the world the chance to see what the country has to offer.
Tourism body Visit Wales has created the immersive experience with the aim of platforming some of Wales's experiences and attractions.
Around 600 million people visit the metaverse each year, across a number of platforms.
The Welsh metaverse is being hosted on platform Spatial.
Organisers say they believe Wales is also the first European nation to use this approach to market itself as a tourism destination.
The announcement comes after a report by a committee of MPs published last July found Wales "lacked a coherent brand" to attract overseas visitors.
Presenter of Doctor Who Unleashed and former gaming journalist Steffan Powell attended the launch.
He said the metaverse experience would give potential visitors to Wales "a flavour of all the exciting things you can see and do on a holiday in Wales".
The Welsh government's tourism minister, Hannah Blythyn, said the metaverse had been created "to reach new audiences".
"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 added.
Visitors to the virtual Wales can take on quests including building an interactive itinerary which includes real-life Wales-based activities.
Read more:When could a tourism tax be introduced in Wales?20mph limit 'putting tourists off Wales', Tories claim
It's a world created in partnership with a firm based in SwanseaiCreate.
"Wales punches above its weight when it comes to innovation and technology," said iCreate founder Dawn Lyle.
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