The effect of pre-trip virtual reality and on-site smart device use on accessible tourism experiences

• Hearing challenges only form a minor portion of all travel barriers mentioned. • Most difficulties encountered are related to wayfinding and infrastructure. • Non-immersive virtual reality experience does not facilitate rural tourism. • There is evidence of a linkage between positive visual stimulation and photography. • Smart devices should not overly intrude into visitors’ rural tourism experiences. This study investigates the contribution of pre-visit virtual reality (VR) experiences and the use of smart devices (SDs) in enhancing accessible tourism for visitors with hearing loss at Yim Tin Tsai Island, a rural destination in Hong Kong. A total of 163 participants, including 78 individuals with varying degrees of hearing impairment and 85 persons without reported disabilities, participated in a self-guided visit. They were randomly assigned to four groups based on whether a VR experience was provided before the visit and whether SDs were used during the visit. Post-visit focus group discussions explored challenges faced, solutions proposed, and perceptions of VR and SD applications. The findings suggest that while VR and SDs offer practical and emotional benefits, visitors with hearing loss do not perceive them as particularly effective in overcoming barriers or significantly enhancing their experiences on the island. Recommendations proposed to improve tourism experiences of visitors with hearing loss include the provision of a multi-sensory environment and information supplementing the visit in VR experiences, as well as adopting a non-intrusive and intuitive approach in presenting information on smart devices.