Virtual Reality-A Tool for Sustainable Development in Tourism or a Treat for the Future? A Systematic Review and a SWOT Analysis

Abstract

The advancement of virtual reality (VR) necessitates substantial expertise and investment. As a result, it has been observed that the number of VR studies has increased in recent years. Accordingly, the primary objective is to elucidate the current state of studies on virtual reality (VR) within the context of sustainable development in tourism research. This study adopted a systematic review and SWOT analysis approach. The study findings indicated that most of the papers used quantitative research methods. Most of the research papers focused on tourism marketing, heritage, and destination management. Most of the documents had a significant environmental focus; environmental-oriented papers outnumbered those on economics and socio-cultural topics. The studies suggested that VR was a powerful digital tool for raising awareness of environmental issues and allowing visitors to experience the analogies, customs, and intellectual abilities of earlier civilisations. Furthermore, VR presented opportunities, such as providing new standards for the tourism sector to address the challenges of COVID-19 and promote expansion. However, it was not without drawbacks. This study aims to compile sustainability-oriented research on VR and analyse it systematically to determine the current state of the field of inquiry.