Research on the Impact of Virtual Reality Technology Perception on Tourist Engagement in the Context of Smart Tourism

Abstract

— In recent years, virtual reality technology is booming. How to combine VR technology with tourism projects has become an important issue in scenic spots. Previous studies have shown that tourists' acceptance of new technologies or applications will affect their tourism experience, but there is far from enough research on the combination of VR technology and tourism that is gradually emerging, and there is also a lack of research on what driving factors will affect tourists' compatibility under the background of smart tourism. Based on this, this study takes tourists who have experienced VR projects in scenic spots as the research objects. The results show that: (1) all three dimensions of VR technology perception have a direct and significant impact on flow experience; (2) All three dimensions of VR technology perception have a direct and significant impact on tourist engagement; (3) Flow experience has a direct and significant impact on tourist engagement, and flow experience plays a partial mediating effect in the impact of VR technology perception (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived entertainment) on tourist engagement. Finally, according to the results, management suggestions are put forward from two aspects of VR project improvement and experience improvement, and at the same time, the shortcomings of this research are pointed out, and the direction for future research is pointed out.