Why Are Augmented Reality Technologies Important for Destinations?

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR), which is a variation of virtual reality, is a technology that can appeal to a number of senses with its sound, video, image or touch sense features, take the information created by computers or digital environments and adapt it to the real environment, thus allowing the user to see and explore the real world. Although AR technology has the potential to be used to develop all senses in general, it is widely used today. AR, which is the subject of many scientific research, is turning into a subject that is especially curious and excited by the tourism sector and that consumers are very interested in. In particular, within the scope of examining consumer behaviours and searching for solutions, businesses have started to benefit from AR technologies in order to respond to the demands of consumers who spend the majority of their time with technology and to offer different, unforgettable and unique experiences. Moreover, promotional activities are very important in terms of preferability among competing destinations. At this point, the effect of AR on the persuasion efforts carried out within the marketing process for all kinds of messages and destinations conveyed to consumers cannot be denied. Therefore, AR technologies constitute one of the most effective steps in facilitating consumers' travel, creating a rich experience, speeding up their decision-making processes, enabling them to revisit the destination and increasing their satisfaction. In this chapter, what AR is, why it has an important place in destinations and marketing and the use of AR in destinations, hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants, and finally in recreation areas, are discussed.

Citation

Şenel, E. (2024), "Why Are Augmented Reality Technologies Important for Destinations?", Alnoor, A., Bayram, G.E., XinYing, C. and Shah, S.H.A. (Ed.) The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Regenerative Tourism and Green Destinations (New Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality Management), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 273-283. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-746-420241018