Is virtual reality technology an effective tool for tourism destination marketing? A flow perspective

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of virtual reality (VR) as a communication tool for advertising on tourism destination image and the changes in destination attitude, clarifying how flow experience affects destination image, and examining how destination image mediates the effect of flow experience on attitude changes.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to collect data from 342 study participants who watched a tourism destination marketing video through HTC VR vive gear. A research model tested data collected from participants using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling by using partial least squares structural equation modeling software.

Findings

The results found that two factors (friendliness and telepresence) of flow experience in VR can positively affect destination image. Destination image has a significant indirect effect on how flow experience influences attitude change.

Originality/value

As tourism destinations are faced with strategic decisions about investment in different VR platforms or some other technologies, understanding how individuals respond to various VR stimuli is of practical importance. Therefore, this study’s findings provide valuable information for tourism industry practitioners.

虚拟现实是否能成为目的地营销的有效工具？一项基于沉浸理论视角的研究

研究目的

本研究旨在探索虚拟现实（VR）作为一项营销沟通工具来研究对目的地形象, 目的地态度改变, 诠释心流体验如何对目的地形象的影响, 以及目的地形象在心流体验对态度改变的中介作用的影响。

研究设计/方法/途径

本研究从342位观看了由HTC 提供的VR虚拟现实 VIVE 装备对旅游景区营销视频的参与者采集调研数据。调研数据由验证性因子分析和结构方程（PLS-SEM软件）来测试研究模型。

研究发现

研究结果显示由VR产生的基于心流体验的两个因子（友好程度和远程呈现）可以对目的地形象产生正面影响。研究显示目的地形象是心流体验影响态度变化的中介因素。

研究原创性/价值

由于旅游目的地面临着关于投资于不同VR 平台或者其他科技工具的战略性决策, 了解个体如何对各种VR刺激因素进行反应变得尤其重要。因此本研究结论为旅游业内人士提供了有价值信息。

Citation

Chang, H.H. and Chiang, C.C. (2022), "Is virtual reality technology an effective tool for tourism destination marketing? A flow perspective", Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 427-440. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-03-2021-0076