Exploring Authenticity in Virtual Reality Tourism Among Millennials

Abstract

Tourism research increasingly recognizes the need to understand not only travelers’ behaviors but also the subjective meanings behind their experiences, particularly as digital technologies reshape how destinations are encountered. Within this context, virtual reality (VR) tourism has emerged as a powerful medium for immersive engagement, yet the emotional and existential dimensions of authenticity in such experiences remain insufficiently explored. Despite advances in technological realism, it is still unclear how individuals construct and experience authenticity in virtual environments where the “real” and the “simulated” intersect. This study employs an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to provide a clear methodological grounding, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine millennial participants to explore their lived experiences of VR tourism. The analysis reveals that authenticity is not dependent on physical presence but arises from subjective immersion, emotional resonance, and reflective awareness. Key findings indicate three primary dimensions of digital authenticity: (1) immersive presence, (2) emotional engagement, and (3) reflective meaning-making, all of which enable participants to perceive authenticity within simulated settings. Participants describe experiencing a genuine sense of presence and emotional connection that transcends technological mediation, suggesting that authenticity can be embodied within virtual contexts. The study further highlights that authenticity in VR tourism is constructed through personal interpretation rather than environmental attributes. Implications include the need for VR tourism designers to prioritize emotional and reflective elements to enhance perceived authenticity, as well as opportunities for future research on consciousness and experiential depth in digital spaces.