Virtual Tours a Means to an End: An Analysis of Virtual Tours’ Role in Tourism Recovery Post COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 brought the global tourism industry to a standstill. In response, various tourism stakeholders adopted innovative approaches such as virtual tours (VTs) to keep their attractions firmly in the minds of potential visitors. This study has integrated the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) models to determine the factors that affect a person’s decision to adopt VTs as temporary alternatives during times of crises. Data were collected from a sample of 401 respondents after they had experienced at least one of the VTs simulating Egyptian heritage sites. The results show that the antecedents of the TAM and PADM models are effective in predicting users’ intention to adopt VTs and that adoption intention has a positive impact on the tendency to visit the actual site. In addition, practical implications are provided for site managers to consider when opting for VTs as a promotional tool or as an alternative product during times of crisis.