Investigating the Tourist Visit Intention During Covid 19 Pandemic Using Mood Management Theory (MMT) of Virtual Reality (VR) Tourism

Virtual Reality Technology for tourism (VR Tourism) can be a means to boost tourist visits. However, this opinion is still controversial. VR Tourism, as a VR technology, provides a pleasant experience for its users and is supposed to encourage people to visit a tourist site. As a result, evaluating VR tourism's effectiveness in mood management becomes critical. This study develops a research model on how Mood Management Theory (MMT) influences visit intentions. This study uses an experimental approach by providing an experience using VR Tourism Making Batik with natural dyes. The data were analyzed using a path analysis approach processed using SmartPLS 3.0. The findings indicate that Entertainment Experience, Education Experience, Esthetic Experience, and favourably impact the perception of positive mood enhancement. However, the intention to visit does not display any significant association with the perception of positive mood improvement.