The Effect of Pre-trip Virtual Reality and Smart Devices on Accessible Tourism Experiences

This study aims to identify the contribution of a pre-visit virtual reality (VR) experience and the use of smart devices (SDs) on accessible tourism by understanding their role in enhancing the experiences of visitors with reported hearing loss in Yim Tin Tsai Island, a rural tourism destination in Hong Kong. A total of 163 participants, including volunteers reporting various degrees of hearing impairment (HI) and without reported disabilities, were invited to the island for a self-guided visit. The participants were randomly assigned into four groups of prescribed experimental conditions characterized by whether a VR experience was administered before the visit and whether the use of SDs was allowed during the visit. Focus group discussions were conducted after each visit to understand the challenges faced by participants during the visit, solutions to overcome them, and their perceptions of the application of VR and SD. The results suggest that while the VR experience and SD use offer some benefits in enhancing participants’ tourism experience both practically and emotionally, visitors with hearing loss do not perceive them to be particularly helpful in resolving perceived barriers encountered and heightening their experiences on the island. Recommendations on the design of VR and the role of SDs for rural tourism experiences for all are proposed and discussed.