Harnessing the power of virtual reality: Enhancing telepresence and inspiring sustainable travel intentions in the tourism industry

This study investigates how virtual reality (VR) can enhance telepresence and stimulate VR use and travel intentions in the sustainable tourism industry. 512 local and international tourists in Vietnam participated in an online survey after experiencing a VR experiment. They interacted with an app presenting a sustainable tourist destination based on nature, with the treatment group using VR sets and the control group viewing it on a 2D screen. Results indicate that VR-based tours facilitate greater telepresence than 2D presentations. VR is not a substitute for actual travel, with higher intentions reported to use VR in the future and to visit the tourist destination in real life due to their greater telepresence and perceived enjoyment from VR. This has implications for nature-based sustainable tourism, with further research needed for other types of tourism, including extreme activities. •VR-based tours facilitate greater telepresence than 2D presentations, and that VR is not a substitute for actual travel.•Greater telepresence and perceived enjoyment from VR increase intentions to use VR in the future and to visit the tourist destination in real life.•The positive effects of VR-induced telepresence on perceived enjoyment and travel intentions.•Perceived enjoyment from VR is a significant mediating factor between telepresence and travel intentions, and between the original Technology Acceptance Model constructs and intentions to use VR.