MICE in Virtual Reality Environments with a focus on sustainability identified through distinct stakeholder perspectives
Authors
Leino, Ira Lisa Kristina ; Buzzi, Erica
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-10-02
Abstract
COVID-19 restrictions and rapid advances in technology have challenged what it means to feel present at work meetings. This thesis examines how virtual reality (VR) is used in business tourism—travel for meetings, conferences, and conventions—with a focus on sustainability. We address two questions: how business professionals and industry providers perceive VR in meetings and events, and how COVID-19 has affected the hospitality and events sector and what consequences may follow. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 business professionals and 4 VR practitioners. Interviews covered experiences with virtual meetings, views on the tourism industry, data privacy, sustainability, and the role of VR during the pandemic. Responses show that the need for remote collaboration has pushed many toward online tools, but preferences vary: some favor permanently integrating remote meetings, while others want to return to in-person gatherings to regain a sense of presence. Our findings suggest that VR is most effective when participants have already built a trusting business relationship. Rather than choosing fully virtual or fully in-person formats, a balanced, hybrid approach is recommended. If VR takes on a larger role in replacing some in-person meetings, it can support social, economic, and environmental sustainability in business tourism.
COVID-19-restriktioner og hurtig teknologisk udvikling har udfordret, hvad det vil sige at være til stede ved arbejdsmøder. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan virtuel virkelighed (VR) bruges i forretningsturisme—rejser til møder, konferencer og kongresser—med fokus på bæredygtighed. Vi belyser to spørgsmål: hvordan erhvervsfolk og brancheaktører opfatter VR i møder og events, samt hvordan COVID-19 har påvirket hospitality- og eventsektoren og hvilke konsekvenser der kan forventes. Med en kvalitativ tilgang gennemførte vi semistrukturerede interviews med 16 erhvervsfolk og 4 VR-fagpersoner. Interviews dækkede erfaringer med virtuelle møder, syn på turismebranchen, databeskyttelse, bæredygtighed og VR’s rolle under pandemien. Svarene viser, at behovet for fjernsamarbejde har skubbet mange mod online værktøjer, men præferencerne er delte: nogle ønsker permanent integration af fjernmøder, mens andre vil tilbage til fysiske møder for at genopnå tilstedeværelse. Vores resultater peger på, at VR fungerer bedst, når der på forhånd er opbygget tillid i relationen. I stedet for at vælge enten fuldt virtuelt eller fuldt fysisk anbefales en balanceret, hybrid tilgang. Hvis VR i højere grad erstatter nogle fysiske møder, kan det bidrage til social, økonomisk og miljømæssig bæredygtighed i forretningsturisme.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords