Virtual reality application for tourism in Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
Tourism significantly contributes to global economies and societal development. Virtual tourism has emerged as a crucial alternative during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, sustaining the tourism sector. This paper explores virtual tourism's potential for Saudi destinations, focusing on its impact and acceptance among 600 participants from Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha. Using a descriptive-analytical approach and an applied experiment with virtual reality tours of Jeddah's historical sites, the results show a positive attitude towards virtual tourism, highlighting its economic viability and support for activation. SEM analysis confirmed that perceived presence significantly influences user satisfaction and engagement, which in turn impact the intention to visit real destinations. These findings underscore virtual tourism's potential as a marketing, tourism promotion, and cultural preservation tool, contributing to the sustainable development of Saudi Arabia's tourism sector amidst global challenges.
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