Virtual tourism as a potential alternative to travel therapy for dementia intervention: Interdisciplinary, conceptual, and methodological innovations
Abstract
Tourism in contemporary societies has evolved beyond traditional sightseeing activities to assume a broader social role. Links between tourism experiences and tourists’ mental health are proving beneficial for both the field of medicine and the tourism industry. Travel therapy, as a non-pharmacological intervention, promotes good mental health across various populations. Classical medical experiments can be combined with typical tourism-based surveys to learn about the travel behaviours of people with dementia and the clinical efficacy of virtual tourism for this population. This chapter highlights interdisciplinary, conceptual, and methodological innovations in an ongoing project blending tourism and medical science by critically reviewing the literature on virtual reality in tourism and medical science. Descriptions of three research innovations illustrate how virtual tourism may be an alternative to travel therapy in terms of dementia intervention. Findings should enlighten key stakeholders in tourism and medical science.
Document Type
Book Chapter
Date of Publication
1-1-2025
Publication Title
Tourism and Hospitality for Humanity: Moving Beyond Consumerism
Publisher
Edward Elgar Publishing
School
School of Business and Law / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Copyright
subscription content
First Page
4
Last Page
13
Comments
Hu, F., & Wen, J. (2025). Virtual tourism as a potential alternative to travel therapy for dementia intervention: Interdisciplinary, conceptual, and methodological innovations. In Tourism and hospitality for humanity: Moving beyond consumerism (pp. 4–13). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035344307.00006