Virus tinged? Exploring the facets of virtual reality use in tourism as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

•Intention to use virtual reality (VR) in tourism increased under COVID-19 effect.•Intention to use VR in tourism is influenced by perceived substitutability of VR.•People’s interest in VR use in tourism mediates the relationship.•VR use might mitigate the COVID-19 effect and increase the tourism’s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Telematics and informatics 2021-07, Vol.60, p.101575-101575, Article 101575
Main Authors: Schiopu, Andreea F., Hornoiu, Remus I., Padurean, Mihaela A., Nica, Ana-Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease transmission
Pandemics
Perceived substitutability of VR
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
Tourism
Viral diseases
Virtual reality
Virtual reality tourism
Viruses
VR use in tourism
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:•Intention to use virtual reality (VR) in tourism increased under COVID-19 effect.•Intention to use VR in tourism is influenced by perceived substitutability of VR.•People’s interest in VR use in tourism mediates the relationship.•VR use might mitigate the COVID-19 effect and increase the tourism’s sustainability. Several studies have investigated the use of virtual reality (VR) in tourism, but none has taken an epidemiological outlook. This research examined the use of VR in tourism through the lenses of an extended TAM model in times of COVID-19 pandemic. The premise was that, in this context, people would prefer less risky experiences and would see VR as a substitute for traditional travel. The data used was collected through a within-subjects experiment, which proved that intention to use VR in tourism increased under the COVID-19 effect. This study tested a conceptual model that showed this intention was influenced by the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and perceived substitutability of VR, all mediated by people’s interest in VR use in tourism. The perceived authenticity of VR experience determined the perceived substitutability of VR. This paper has theoretical and practical implications. In the long term, promoting tourism-related VR activities might reduce the risk of virus spreading, lessen the pressure imposed on this sector by such epidemic episodes, and increase its sustainability.
ISSN:0736-5853
1879-324X
DOI:10.1016/j.tele.2021.101575