Travel Agency In Second Life

Safe2Travel, a travel agency based in Singapore, has partnered with Abacus International and has created a Second Life presence. From this article:

...“Rather than viewing the Internet as a threat to the travel agency business, Abacus believes that this channel is an excellent platform for travel agents to expand their market presence, and is committed to helping travel agents make the most of this channel. Setting up a VTA in Second Life is merely another step in supporting travel agents’ potential growth in the online realm,” he said. Since its launch in 2003, Second Life has made headlines around the world for its distinctive ‘reality-based’ c oncept that allows users to construct a ‘virtual life’ and go about routine activities as they would in their daily life. The online community is estimated to be growing at 20-40% monthly on average, with this rate even higher in markets such as Asia. Second Life itself is just one example of a new generation of sites with user-generated content which also includes influential social sites such as IGOUGO, Trip Advisor and yeop.com, where users share experiences and dispense advice to travellers says Mr Henry “We wish to explore Second Life because we know there is a close link between social networks and travel; and also between social networks and transactional networks (such as Zuji and makemytrip). We are most interested in how these trends are coming together and how they could provide opportunities for travel agencies,” Mr Henry said....

...“Safe2Travel has decided to explore the boundaries of traditional travel distribution channels with this venture into Second Life. We are excited by the immense possibilities it offers as a new distribution channel and we look forward to growing awareness of our brand among the more than eight million virtual residents from around the world.”

Nobody Notes

Their presence, at Zafiros (161,201,22), was empty when I visited (8:50 pm, SLT). I don't know whether it will do well or not, but if they live up to their press - it will at the least be interesting to see whether a service related presence in Second Life will be as worthwhile as a web presence. To date, even Amazon.com hasn't seemed to have done as good within Second Life as they do outside of Second Life - and that is because their 2d web presence is so useful.

Is a 3d web presence a crutch? I don't think it should be. But in a service oriented industry, such as a travel agency... maybe it will be worthwhile. Worth keeping an eye on, if only to learn something.

And if Safe2Travel isn't a 9/11 inspired name... I don't know what is.

And does a virtual travel agency only deal in 'virtual travel'? This, and other things, may never be clear...