Founder at Virtual Journeys NZ
New Zealand
In the late 1980's Michael Nees began work in New Zealand as a tour guide for German-speaking small tour groups. In the mid 1990's, he established one of the first e-commerce websites. For the past decade he has been designing high-end travel itineraries. Currently he is exploring the possibilities and potential of technology to create innovative and immersive tourism experiences. Michael has developed a range of Virtual Journeys that are so much more than just a video - they are an immersive experience for the senses and the closest thing to really being there.
Michael’s ‘imagine this’ approach and long-term thinking, place him as an innovative leader in our sector. Michael shares his concerns for the climate challenges we now face, and our need to be adaptive and resilient. He recognises the urgent need to think differently about tourism models, and has a deep desire not to go back to business as usual, but instead to explore how tourism can reduce its carbon footprint and still serve travellers through immersive storytelling.
His invitation to listeners is to take a long-term view of our sector, consider the potential that technological innovations offer tourism and to open our minds to embracing an entirely different path.
Michael has contributed to: