The processes of globalization, observed trends and technological progress have led to specific changes in the tourism market and the general approach to tourism. New approaches have encouraged individual entrepreneurs and scientists to dedicate time and money to the development of virtual technologies. Their application and development over the last few years have experienced significant growth and have found examples in the field of tourism. Given the ways of their functioning and with virtual experiences as the products of their use, it can be stated that, in particular segments of tourism, they represent a kind of challenge. The possibility of engaging users in the content and providing unique experiences without the need to physically leave the place where they are has led to certain considerations of what these technologies represent for tourism. It is discussed through scientific knowledge and the results of primary empirical research whether they represent a certain level of threat i.e. a sufficiently satisfactory substitute for real travel, or whether, and in what ways, they manifest themselves as one of the tools for upgrading existing tourist experiences. Based on scientific knowledge and the results of primary empirical research, specific possibilities and limitations of the application of virtual technologies in tourism and the possibilities and limitations of complementarity and replacement of primordial and virtual travel have been identified.