Virtual Tours — David Restivo

ehikes & etours

Glacier National Park is a hiker and backpacker’s paradise. Trip planning is important. To give visitors a glimpse of what to expect on a hike, I created eHikes, web-based virtual tours of hiking trails.

Each eHike encourages users to digitally navigate a trail. The eHikes contain educational interpretive text, videos, natural sounds, and 360 panoramic images. After creating eHikes, I expanded to eTours, virtual tours focusing on historic buildings and cultural sites.

I created all text, videos, took all the photographs, and coded each application in Adobe Flash. I also created a virtual tour training manual and taught classes on creating virtual tours. Even though Flash is not supported in browsers anymore, I am proud of the connections visitors had with parks because of these tours.

Training manual for developing virtual tours

Blue introductin screen with a white sillohette of a person and words in blue that read Adrenaline, Adventure, Challenge, Excitement, Dawson-Pitamakan, Panorama, Solitude, Exposure — Introduction Screen

Each tour opens with an animated sequence of words and graphics set to music. These intangible meanings and universal concepts set the tone for the tour and the area.

Screen with a photo of a man standing in the mountains, a map with red dots, and text — Main Content

Each screen represents a location or feature on the trail. Photographs, maps, video, audio and other interactive features complement the interpretive writing.

Screen with the Statue of Liberty's head, map with a red dot ad text — Providing Access

Not everyone is able to visit a national park in person or access parts of a park. When the Statue of Liberty closed for renovation, a eTour provided virtual access until the Statue reopened to the public.

Screen with a photo of a man standing looking down at a zig-zag trail, thumbnail images, map with a red do and text. — Reconnecting Visitors

Parks are special, and most visitors leave with a memorable experience. The virtual tours provide opportunities for visitors to reconnect with places they love.

Awards & Recognition

1st & 2nd place, Interpretive Media - Multimedia, National Association of Interpretation
Featured in Backpacker magazine