By the year 2084, tourism in Ghent will undergo a revolutionary change. The city will take the lead in cutting-edge technology, while the historic center remains as old (as possible). These technologies will be used to immerse, guide and creatively communicate with the tourists.
OUR DESIRED FUTURE
Can you imagine it? Statues come to life to share their stories, holographic images bring the past to life and visitors are immersed in a medieval Ghent. But this is just the beginning of the experience. As visitors delve deeper into the city, they can activate an AI-powered guide, GIDE (Guide for Intelligent Directions and Explanations). GIDE. can also answer all their questions about the city. Ghent is a historic, futuristic city that promises not only a unique look at the past, but also a look at the limitless possibilities of the future.
Upon arrival in the city, tourists are welcomed with a futuristic touch: an AR headset that serves as their personal guide through the enchanting historical walk designed to make their visit to Ghent unforgettable. This headset not only guides them through the streets of the past, but also fully immerses them in the rich history of the city. It's an immersive experience that goes beyond just visual images; smell and sound also come to life. Imagine walking past a medieval cathedral and hearing the sounds of slashing swords and fighting knights come to life. Or as you walk past a statue of a fire-breathing dragon, the air fills with the smell of smoke and fire. Immersive technologies allow tourists to see all kinds of people, through all different periods of Ghent. Old seamstresses, knights, old bakers and students from 2020 – to represent all these people fully and correctly. This completes the thrill of the experience. This multi-sensory approach creates an extraordinary connection with the past, making every step through the historic futuristic city of Ghent an exciting adventure that stimulates all the senses.
As you walk through the city, several statues of important historical figures come to life. These serve not only as “decoration” but also as guides who are happy to talk about their role in Ghent's past. You can also ask them for directions and the statue will immediately respond by pointing out the right direction, allowing you to navigate the city effortlessly. Are you feeling a little lost? The AR system offers a useful map function that provides an overview of the city. This clever combination of historical guides and modern technology makes navigating the historic futuristic city of Ghent a seamless and stress-free experience, allowing you to fully enjoy all the beauty the city has to offer.
By the year 2084, visitors to Ghent can embark on a guided tour that reveals the city's rich history. The specially designed route leads tourists to iconic monuments such as 'Het Gravensteen', 'Sint-Baafs' and 'Het Prinsenhof' and shows the architectural splendor of these historic buildings from different centuries. This carefully planned route allows tourists to witness the evolution of Ghent's landscape and offers a comprehensive journey through its vibrant history.
Over the years, the buildings in Ghent have undergone a remarkable transformation. Despite numerous renovations, it remains a challenge for visitors to get a complete picture of what the city used to look like. Innovative solutions have been devised to do something about this. This led to the holograms that are projected onto contemporary buildings. With the help of advanced AR glasses, visitors can now take a journey into the past. With a simple wave of the hand they can select the desired year and the buildings come to life in their original glory. This technological approach offers a unique opportunity to add historical context to the modern city landscape, giving visitors a better insight into the evolution of Ghent over the centuries.
Furthermore, to enhance the visitor experience and ensure the preservation of the city's heritage, there are clear signs throughout the city center about areas that tourists can explore and areas that are restricted. These guidelines have been drawn up to strike a balance between giving visitors the opportunity to appreciate Ghent's cultural treasures while protecting sensitive or vulnerable areas. The city's commitment to maintaining a harmonious coexistence between tourism and the preservation of its historic charm is reflected in these thoughtful measures that guarantee a memorable and respectful exploration of Ghent in the year 2084.
As more and more tourists came to the city, the city council decided to limit the number of visitors. VisitGent is the main authority on tourism in the city and makes most of the decisions regarding tourism. The most important task is to allow tourists with the right intentions to enter the city. The government organization does this by means of forms that tourists must complete. This way they can check whether visitors meet the criteria for entry into the city. Persons who do not meet the requirements are considered “risk persons”. These are, for example, people with a criminal background. That is why they are not allowed access to the city.
