| Author: | Zhang, Aojia |
| Title: | Psychological well-being in virtual tourism |
| Advisors: | Xiao, Honggen (SHTM) |
| Degree: | DHTM |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Subject: | Well-being Tourists -- Psychology Tourism -- Information technology Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | School of Hotel and Tourism Management |
| Pages: | 180 pages : color illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Psychological well-being, blending hedonism and eudaimonism, encompasses positive emotions, profound immersion, self-flourishing, and meaningful relationships, constituting a durable and moderate psychological state. Virtual tourism, propelled by extended reality, Metaverse, and information communication technologies, amplifies multi-sensory perceptions and mobilizes the nervous system, human body, and brain comprehensively. This study delves into two emerging virtual tourism types: virtual tourism supported by immersive technology and tourism live streaming, utilizing a mixed research method combining constructivist grounded theory with implicit physiological neural responses (EEG and facial expressions) and explicit self-reports. It aims to analyze virtual tourists' psychological well-being outcomes, grasp informants' real-time emotions via physiological data in various virtual tourism scenarios, and scrutinize the impacts—both positive and negative—of immersive technology and tourism live streaming on psychological well-being. Finally, it develops two research models—a construction model and a psychological mechanism model—for future exploration of psychological well-being in virtual tourism. The study reveals a nuanced understanding of psychological well-being within extended reality tourism and tourism live streaming. It elucidates well-being outcomes, depicting a journey from natural harmony and emotional engagement to self-flourishing, personal empowerment, heightened growth awareness, and eventual detachment. In immersive virtual tourism, dimensions include emotion refinement, meaningful connections, self-realizing gratification, environmental mastery, and the flow state, fostering immersive and fulfilling experiences. Conversely, in tourism live streaming, three tiers and six dimensions of psychological well-being include sentimental cultivation, reality enrichment, self and social identity, environmental mastery, inspiration and arousal, and self-transcendence, nurturing emotional fulfillment and mental enrichment. Additionally, the mental foundation is enriched by the incorporation of concepts such as oriental-serendipity and a positive state of mind, which serve as precursors to the immersive experience. This refined model deepens our understanding of the intricate mechanisms underlying the psychological well-being of participants in both virtual tourism and tourism live streaming. The study underscores the transformative potential of immersive technology and live streaming in the tourism domain while acknowledging obstacles like physical distractions and sentimental conflicts that can detract from well-being outcomes. Methodologically, it pioneers the integration of cognitive neuroscience technology into tourism research, challenging conventional notions of positive emotions and offering a profound reinterpretation of emotional experiences within Eastern paradigms of well-being. From an industrial viewpoint, the integration of immersive technology and tourism live streaming platforms presents transformative opportunities for the tourism industry, offering novel ways to engage consumers and reshape tourism experiences. Understanding cultural nuances and individual preferences inherent in these technologies is crucial for tailoring services effectively. Insights from this research illuminate the complex relationship between virtual tourism experiences, tourism live streaming, and consumer well-being, guiding businesses to enhance user satisfaction and engagement, ultimately driving growth in the digital era of tourism. By prioritizing meaningful interactions and aligning services with the holistic well-being of tourists, businesses can differentiate themselves and thrive in the dynamic landscape of virtual tourism. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7876.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 4.08 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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