Exploring Elderly Users' Expectations and Experiences with Virtual Tour Guides in Virtual Tourism Platforms

With the rapid aging of the population and the accelerated development of virtual reality (VR) technology, virtual tourism platforms have emerged as a convenient and safe travel option for elderly users. As a core component of these platforms, the design of virtual tour guides directly impacts the user experience of elderly individuals. This study investigates the needs of elderly users for virtual tour guides through user-centered research methods. The findings reveal that elderly users prioritize functional aspects such as information acquisition, navigation guidance, and cultural interpretation. In terms of interaction experience, they prefer simple, intuitive, and diverse interaction methods. Additionally, they express emotional needs for companionship and a sense of affinity from virtual tour guides. This research provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing the design of virtual tour guides, aiming to enhance the virtual tourism experience for elderly users.