Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Tourism and Hotel Management Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 70-78)

ABSTRACT
Rapid changes in the role of new technologies in the tourism industry have paved the
way for the creation of customer interactions through the promotion of travel
destinations using virtual reality. By enhancing participation and expanding
experience co-creation in an interactive and simulated environment, technological
advancements like virtual reality (VR) enable travelers to attain a more singular travel
experience. Although the VR has drawn more attention and been used as marketing
and consumer interaction medium in the hotel and travel industry, a few of studies has
been done on how well VR works and how it affects the viability of sustainable
tourism. This present study reviews Virtual Reality and how it impacts sustainable
tourism and also, it’s influence on tourists behavioral Intentions. The utilization
regarding virtual realities is expected to leave a consequence on the traveling
experience on the actual day, in besides of focusing on the consequence of travel
motives, which has generally controlled in reality. This study is quantitative and
questionnaire based, reviewing responses from a respondent of N=460. For the
analysis, this study gathered data from tourists answering an online questionnaire
concerning virtual reality software and tourism terms. The SPSS was used for the
analysis of the gathered responds. The study strengthened and supported given
hypotheses with conclusions showing that many people who use tourism-related
technology like virtual reality view their use of these tools as an expression of their
passion for travel and exploration. Two significant motifs that may be present in VR
tourism were uncovered as a result of the research. These are its intriguing capabilities
and the broad impact it has on tourists, independent of the community, a behavioral
intention that affects decisions regarding destination visits and return visits. The
research findings suggest that Virtual Reality tools does have a positive influence
related to sustainable tourism as well as it does impact a positive behavioral intention
to visit or return from a destination.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality,
Photogrammetry, Smart Tourism, Sustainability, Virtual Reality.