I've recently come across Second Life, a virtual world where residents can interact using 'avatars' and travel to countless different worlds.
Now the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions has become the first to open a virtual tourist board in this faux universe.
Dubbed New Holland , it allows users to share information and 'meet' new people.
This is a clever marketing tool which more tourism boards and travel companies should take advantage of - just as long as virtual travel doesn't replace the real thing.