The virtual joys of Portsmouth
by Julie-Ann Sherlock
If there's one thing that the global pandemic has shown, it's that virtual tourism experiences have immense storytelling power — a power that doesn’t seem likely to fade once travel restrictions have been lifted.
From Charles Dickens to D-Day, ancient Portsmouth holds a wealth of history waiting to be explored — and while physical visits are currently off-limits, there are now an array of options for experiencing the unique sounds and sights of this storied destination.
The marketing team behind Visit Portsmouth has tapped into the magic of storytelling with their #VirtualPortsmouth campaign, giving visitors access to the legendary city from the sofa. "We've responded to the impact of the pandemic and embraced technology so that we can offer virtual tours of our great waterfront city, allowing people to explore Portsmouth from the comfort of home, wherever they are in the world," explains Jane Singh, Visit Portsmouth Tourism and Marketing Manager.
The ‘Great Waterfront City’
With most of the city resting on an island, there is a natural nautical theme to the destination. Home to the British Royal Navy and various famous ships, it's now possible to explore Portsmouth's maritime history thanks to the wonders of technology. There’s a virtual tour of the unique Solent Forts (fortress-like sea defences converted into unique hotels), Henry VIII's famous Mary Rose warship can be boarded through a panorama feature and the comings and goings at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard can be seen via a live "Warrior" webcam feed.
War stories
From early battles against Vikings to the Falklands War, Portsmouth has been a critical player in Britain's sea defences since its founding in Roman times. Admiral Nelson set sail from here for the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and it was one of the key departure points for the Allied troops on their way to the Normandy landings (also known as D-Day).
While it's not currently possible to visit the landmarks or attractions associated with these battles in person, virtual tours of the city keep the stories going while sites wait to reopen. Users will learn how the city was devastated by Luftwaffe bombings during World War II with an interactive map and can explore Portsmouth's role in D-Day on a guided tour of the museum dedicated to the endeavour.
Literary greats
The birthplace of Charles Dickens and Neil Gaiman, and home to Arthur Conan Doyle while he wrote Sherlock Holmes, Portsmouth has an abundance of literary connections. These links are now celebrated through interactive Dickens-themed activities and the History Bombs video of Sherlock Holmes's history. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Portsmouth BookFest — celebrations are now moving online on 15 February (with tickets now available).
Hopefully, the doors of Portsmouth’s attractions and museums will soon open once again to visitors. In the meantime, tourism campaigns worldwide are making the most of the power of virtual content — to weave stories and experiences that leave an indelible imprint on the mind.