Virtual Reality Tourism, Can it replace the real tourism experience?

The Covid-19 pandemic brought a severe impact on tourism industry, as traveling for leisure was very restricted. Yet, the desire to travel and explore tourist destination created a necessity for various reasons. The aim of this study is to explore virtual reality usage to replace such a travel limitation. Previous studies mention that virtual reality application has been used to enhance tourism promotion. Therefore, this study seeks evidences to go beyond enhancing the experience. The data were collected by questionnaires that were distributed to the Millennials, and the returned questionnaires were from 280 respondents, with 230 valid respondents. The results indicate that presence and authenticity have significant influences on virtual reality usage, however, they have no significant influence on tourism experience. Emotion has no significant influence on virtual reality usage, but it has a significant influence on tourism experience. Virtual reality usage has a significant influence on tourism experience. Virtual reality also acts as a mediator between presence and authenticity on tourism experience. At the moment, virtual reality is affecting the tourism experience, although it is relatively weak.