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Several tourism destinations are using social media (SM) marketing more than traditional marketing in the developed countries. The increasing use of technology has replaced the role of travel intermediary. Most of the travellers in developed countries are no longer using travel agencies for their services. Many bookings are done online using electronic devices either at office or home. It is, therefore, a fact that SM has come to stay. However, the situation is contrary to some developing countries due to several reasons; for example, unreliable source of energy, communication, poor infrastructure and lack of competition. Most of developing countries depend on tourists from developed nations to consume their tourism destination products. Moreover, the modern travellers are no longer travelling in the dark. They want to have prior knowledge about their destinations. They check online product offerings, certification and destination labels. A modern tourist is becoming a more responsible traveller. SM plays a big role by providing information about many tourism destinations. Nevertheless, there are ongoing debates regarding the usefulness, future and survival of traditional travel agents despite the fact that there are threats from online travel agents and the increasing use of SM. This chapter is a case study of Malawi as a tourist destination. It critically discusses and analyses the impact of SM as a marketing tool. It also analyses the benefits and challenges of the travel agents, and finally confirms that there is a need to embrace technological change in travel and tourism industry in the developing nations.

• To identify the social elements that emerge from interactions with the virtual fitting room in e-retailing applications

• To debate the influence of the socialisation of the virtual fitting room (SVFR) in brand experience

• To discuss the implications of the SVFR for retailers, consumers and managers

• To envision the future of e-retailing brand experience through the SVFR

To identify the social elements that emerge from interactions with the virtual fitting room in e-retailing applications

To debate the influence of the socialisation of the virtual fitting room (SVFR) in brand experience

To discuss the implications of the SVFR for retailers, consumers and managers

To envision the future of e-retailing brand experience through the SVFR

This research aims to explore the impact of augmented reality (AR), the digital technology that superimposes virtual elements in a real environment, on consumers in the context of experiential marketing. Specifically, this study proposes a research model based on the stimulus-organism-response model, which considers AR media characteristics as external stimuli, consumers’ value perceptions as the organisms, and purchase intentions as the responses. The research model was tested with 248 consumers using structural equation modelling. The results show that informativeness, ease of use, and telepresence have positive effects on consumers’ utilitarian value perception and that telepresence and interactivity have positive effects on hedonic value perception. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on AR and provides actionable insights for managers implementing digital transformation strategies and AR applications in marketing practices.

Co-creation experiences are psychologically complex phenomena. This chapter discusses how cognitive psychology can add value to the co-creation of experiences. There are different meanings of co-creation and here the focus is on the customer's mental experience. This chapter analyses the theoretical underpinnings of co-creation and discusses key dimensions of the concept from a cognitive perspective, highlighting the importance of attention and active involvement. Furthermore, it discusses how technologies (augmented reality, robotics, intelligence systems) can prompt experience co-creation. Finally, this chapter examines the literature of co-creation and experiential learning overlap in knowledge building. Opportunities for future empirical research in this area are suggested.

To analyze and discuss the role of ICTs and the emerging trends and issues in marketing tourism experiences.

Previous conceptual frameworks are reviewed and key issues and trends are identified as central for ICT-based tourism marketing. Case studies are presented to illustrate how the marketing issues could be translated into practical tourism marketing strategies.

(1) Based on the literature, a conceptual model that outlines a technology-empowered marketing approach for co-created tourism experiences is presented. (2) The identified key trends in marketing tourism experiences include the changing overall role of marketers, a growth in mobile marketing opportunities, the emergence of smart destinations and their varied implications for marketing. (3) The case studies show the integrated and strategic role of social media platforms, hashtags, photography, location-based geofilters, augmented reality and videography in marketing tourism experiences.

This chapter conceptually outlines the technology-empowered tourism marketing approach and the role of marketers and various other players in tourism experience co-creation. The case studies provide practical implications for ICT-based tourism marketing.