Augmented reality is an amazing technology that uses superimposed computer graphics to narrow the gap between what is real and what is computer generated. Augmented reality systems use tracking technologies like digital cameras, accelerometers, and optical sensors. These platforms enable people to have an experience that they would otherwise be unable to have, such as the ability to view a digital recreation of a place and time in history.  Augmented reality gives us the ability to recreate the sights and sounds of the ancient world, allowing a tourist to experience a place in time as if he or she were actually present when a given event in history occurred.   

Augmented reality museums and augmented reality tours allow environments to be recreated digitally for viewers to experience.  A historic landmark that has been reduced to ruins by looting, destruction, or simply the progression of time, can be digitally recreated in real-time to its former glory through the use of superimposed images and augmented reality.  By viewing a physical environment whose elements are augmented by computer generated images, the viewer can actually experience a historic place or event as if he or she has traveled back in time.  The potential impact augmented reality can have on tourism is very exciting, and the possibilities are endless.  Imagine being able to stand in front of the ruins of the Coliseum in Rome, view the location through handheld or mounted devices, and experience the splendor of a bygone era through images superimposed upon the remaining physical structure.  Augmented reality even gives us the ability to see the progression of how a landmark or structure has changed and evolved over time.

With augmented reality tourism, travel guides come to life in real-time. Augmented reality content stored on a central server is available to the person who takes a photo of the historical site. Visitors can visualize in 3D historical places, beautiful landscapes, or anything they desire to see in real-time locations. Augmented reality on mobile smartphones can also enhance any tourist’s experience.  Imagine walking through a museum and having the ability to access additional information or images associated with a priceless, historical work of art simply by viewing it through your smartphone.  Augmented reality can further enrich any tourist’s experience by enhancing his or her view of the world today with supplementary information and superimposed images of times past.  Augmented reality tourism gives us the ability to view historic people, places, and objects outside the boundaries of linear time.