Tripadvisor has launched what it claims is the world’s first virtual voice tour of a destination on Alexa.

The initiative has been developed in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

The Gulf state is the first country to test the new technology in the UK allowing user to experience the destination from the comfort of their own home.

With the command ‘Alexa, Explore Abu Dhabi’ users are taken on an immersive voice tour of the destination.

The themes and content within the experience have been selected based on Tripadvisor data and traveller sentiment.

The Alexa skill enables would-be travellers to choose their own adventure, presented with various options detailing what they can explore in Abu Dhabi.

Consumers can request which path to take following prompts from the Alexa device.

The full experience takes several minutes offering a choice of relaxation and nature spots, cultural wonders and restaurants.

The skill remembers the path a user has taken and presents different options when they return.

Early signs suggest the experience is performing well, said Tripadvisor, with thousands of customers having used for on average four minutes and answering approximately seven prompts.

Just under two thirds (60%) of users who were asked after listening to the experience said that it has made them more likely to visit Abu Dhabi in the future.