See the world on a virtual, sustainable travel platform

No passport? No problem. Niky Gharahgozlouyan is creating a ‘Street View’ experience for curious travellers to see the world from home. Her concept won her first prize in the ideas category of the first annual Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition.

Growing up in Tehran didn’t stop Niky Gharahgozlouyan from pursuing her passion for exploration. We asked Niky to share how she came up with the idea for weView and the impact she hopes to make with her project.

📱 Join the weView WhatsApp group to get in touch with the community and get updates on the project.

Tell us more about weView?

weView is based on the concept of making online video calls at touristic or interesting attractions for ‘virtual tourists’, and receiving money in exchange for showing them around.

It is an idea in the world of virtual tourism, which not only works for having different travel experiences but also helps people to have a better economic situations in their lives.

weView creates the opportunity to feel present in the destination or sight that you want to see or attend, without the need of your physical presence there.

It means someone is going to be the “body of your head”, in a location where you can’t be present yourself, and you will pay them as an appreciation.

How did you come up with the idea for weView?

As someone who has worked for an online tourism magazine, it never felt fair that we all are living in the same planet, but not all of us can enjoy its beauty and amusement to the fullest.

So to me, it seemed necessary to have a platform where anyone can have the opportunity to watch the world as one wishes, and also feel passionate that they have something that is worth showing to the world in exchange.

I know it could be disappointing or depressing to see you can’t engage with the world as you want or deserve, because you belong to a particular part of the world that you didn’t chose to be born in – weView has the answers to all of these injustices.

What inspired you to develop the concept of weView?

I was inspired by the idea of weView five years ago, when I experienced internet on my mobile phone for the first time. Suddenly my world changed completely.

weView will require a good internet connection, ability to make and receive online video calls, online translation system, a tourism information platform and global payment — all in one place.

With all these new technologies, our future generation needs better answers for the lack of opportunities, being silent or powerless. We want to be a part of that answer.

I am also inspired by the way that technologies let us cross boundaries. For example, when political matters started to filter some of the worldwide sites in some countries, VPN came up with a solution of disaffection, like it has never been a problem.

So in short, all of these technologies inspired me to create weView.

How will the interaction work?

The platform creates a marketplace where travelers can visit destinations they want and local volunteer ‘guides’ can earn extra income by showing their destination via video calls. It makes travel accessible and creates economic opportunities at the same time.

Travel and culture enthusiasts can use weView for various reasons:

• They don’t have enough time to travel where they want to visit.
• What they want to see is not in touristic seasons.
• They are not eligible for the visa of some countries.
• The tour guide’s focus is mainly on attraction of a country and they want to know what is going on underneath, in people’s life.

What are your plans for weView? How can Travel Massive members get involved?

I believe that as soon as possible, we have to find support, investment and funds that help us gather a team of expert programmers to develop the application.

In the meantime, we’re looking for potential enthusiasts who want to support us in non-financial ways by making videos of their interesting experience with people around the world, and try the demo version of the app for free, to show the world what it looks like to have weView.

I have a group in Whatsapp and people from all around the world join. When there’s a special event taking place or members are going somewhere interesting, we let each other know. Those interested in the event or the destination can join by video call.

Thanks Niky, for sharing your project with us and we wish you all the very best!

Follow Niky on Travel Massive to connect with her and learn more.