Navigating Paris Digitally: An Exploratory Research of 360º Immersive Videos with Portuguese Participants

Digital tourism does not replace the real experience, yet it can be a resource that democratizes tourism, especially in critical situations such as pandemics or when the tourist is impaired. This research involved an experiential activity enabling participants to virtually visit the Eiffel Tower and cycle through Parisian suburbs through 360º videos displayed in a VR headset. The experiment aimed to (i) assess the user experience, (ii) examine user adoption and motivation, (iii) evaluate social impact, (iv) analyze the feasibility of digital tourism, and (v) identify potential therapeutic benefits. This experiment involved two distinct groups, institutionalized adults and active ones, both from Portugal, totaling 114 participants. Results indicate that digital travel significantly contributes to active and healthy aging, and can possibly trigger positive social behaviors. The findings include the emergence of include strategic gaming approaches for navigating the virtual environment and the absence of motion sickness in the institutionalized group. This research underscores the potential of digital tourism as a viable and beneficial alternative, offering insights into its multifaceted impacts on user experiences, health, and social dynamics.