Fueled by the Internet and artificial intelligence, virtual tourism represents an innovative integration of advanced technologies within the tourism industry. The 360 degree panoramic video has emerged as the most prevalent form of virtual tourism both domestically and internationally, owing to its affordability, ease of use, and mild impact. Nevertheless, the advent and proliferation of virtual reality (VR) has unlocked new opportunities in the tourism sector, as VR offers enhanced immersion and a more authentic user experience. Although VR is already employed in various capacities within the industry, it holds the potential to elevate virtual tourism to unprecedented heights. Diverging from prior research, this study examines virtual tourism as a distinct category of tourism that may materialize in the future. A focus group interview and a survey involving 243 respondents were conducted to gauge individuals’ receptiveness to virtual tourism. Participants responded to questions regarding their travel habits and their perceptions of virtual tourism. Data analysis revealed concerns surrounding the technological aspects of virtual tourism: over 20% of respondents were entirely unfamiliar with VR, and a mere 17% utilized the technology. A larger proportion, nearly 40%, lacked awareness of VR’s application in the tourism industry, and only 11.20% had personal experience with it. Concurrently, the Likert scale indicated that respondents recognized the advantages of virtual tourism in comparison to traditional travel, but they expressed skepticism about the technological advancements. Overall, most respondents displayed curiosity and a willingness to explore virtual tourism. These findings hold significant implications for both theoretical understanding and practical implementation within the tourism industry.

As we navigate the technological landscape of the 21st century, the emergence of Virtual Tourism (VT) stands as a groundbreaking paradigm in the tourism industry. This article delves into the conceptualization of VT as a distinct type of tourism, addressing prevailing doubts surrounding its technological advancements. Drawing from the varied understanding of VT, ranging from 360-degree videos to immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experiences, we propose the development of a fully immersive multi-sensory setup. This setup aims to engage and stimulate as many human senses as possible to create a close-to-realistic VT encounter. The proposed multi-sensory setup includes the utilization of Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) for visual and auditory immersion, sensors for smell and taste, gloves embedded with sensors for touch, and temperature-controlled rooms for climate simulation. While the initial investment in such technology may seem substantial, the potential user base for an almost realistic VT experience could outweigh the costs. To validate these propositions, we advocate for an experiment involving a diverse and extensive participant sample. This experiment should encompass individuals from different demographics, health conditions, and perspectives to comprehensively evaluate the acceptance and effectiveness of the multi-sensory VT setup.

Az ügyfelek viselkedésének vizsgálata a közgazdaságtan egyik fontos feladata általában, ezért a viselkedés-gazdaságtan az egyik legfontosabb része. Számos tényező befolyásolja az emberek vásárlási döntését, de vajon ugyanez a helyzet a turizmusban is, ahol a termék valójában különböző termékek és szolgáltatások komplexuma? Az emberek utazási szokásai változatosak és folyamatosan változnak a különböző tényezők miatt: belső és külső. A turizmus fontos helyet foglal el a világgazdaságban. 2019-ben az egyik vezető pozíciót töltötte be. Egyes országok gazdasága teljes mértékben a turisztikai tevékenységtől függ. Évente több mint egymilliárd ember utazik. Éppen ezért fontos a turizmus egyik legfontosabb elemének – a turistáknak – és viselkedés-gazdaságtanának tanulmányozása.