Exploring the Impact of Virtual Reality on Tourists’ Pro-Sustainable Behaviors in Heritage Tourism

Abstract

Although the rise of Virtual Reality (VR) technology has brought new opportunities to tourism experiences and marketing, limited research has explored how VR technology affects tourists’ pro-sustainable behaviors in heritage tourism research. To address this research gap, this study constructs a theoretical model by integrating the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework to explore the relationship among perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived usefulness (PUS), awe, attitude, and pro-sustainable behavior of tourists. Through the analysis of 304 valid questionnaires, this study found that in the heritage tourism experience presented by VR, PEU and PUS positively influence awe and attitude. Furthermore, awe positively affects attitude and pro-sustainable behaviors. However, PUS has no effect on tourists’ pro-sustainable behaviors. This study expands the theoretical framework of TAM and the related research on awe in heritage tourism presented by VR, providing valuable practical insights for heritage managers in the adoption of immersive technology.