Mixed Reality and Its Content Developed to Enhance the Tourist Experience

The growing integration of immersive technologies in the tourism sector raises questions about their real impact on the visitor experience. This study investigates whether mixed reality effectively influences the tourism experience, seeking to understand the mechanisms through which tourism content and emerging technologies shape tourists’ perceptions. A quantitative approach was adopted through the application of a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling) method, allowing us to test direct and indirect relationships between the constructs Tourism Content, Adoption of Mixed Reality, and Tourist Experience. The analysis revealed positive and statistically significant direct effects. Tourism content strongly influences the adoption of mixed reality (β = 0.725; p < 0.001). Moderate impacts of the adoption of mixed reality (β = 0.375; p < 0.001) and tourism content (β = 0.392; p = 0.001) on the tourist experience were found. The indirect effect mediated by the adoption of mixed reality proved to be significant (β = 0.272; p = 0.001), with a VAF (Variance Accounted For) of 41%. Mixed reality plays a complementary partial mediating role in the relationship between tourism content and visitor experience, confirming its relevance in the contemporary tourism experience.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Tourism and Hospitality
Published
2026-01-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7010016
Primary Topic
Augmented Reality Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Mixed Reality and Its Content Developed to Enhance the Tourist Experience

Ivan Oliveira Gonçalves, Bruno Barbosa Sousa, José Duarte Santos, Lara Marisa Santos
Tourism and Hospitality
Augmented Reality Applications
article

Mixed Reality and Its Content Developed to Enhance the Tourist Experience

Ivan Oliveira Gonçalves, Bruno Barbosa Sousa, José Duarte Santos, Lara Marisa Santos
article en

Abstract

The growing integration of immersive technologies in the tourism sector raises questions about their real impact on the visitor experience. This study investigates whether mixed reality effectively influences the tourism experience, seeking to understand the mechanisms through which tourism content and emerging technologies shape tourists’ perceptions. A quantitative approach was adopted through the application of a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling) method, allowing us to test direct and indirect relationships between the constructs Tourism Content, Adoption of Mixed Reality, and Tourist Experience. The analysis revealed positive and statistically significant direct effects. Tourism content strongly influences the adoption of mixed reality (β = 0.725; p < 0.001). Moderate impacts of the adoption of mixed reality (β = 0.375; p < 0.001) and tourism content (β = 0.392; p = 0.001) on the tourist experience were found. The indirect effect mediated by the adoption of mixed reality proved to be significant (β = 0.272; p = 0.001), with a VAF (Variance Accounted For) of 41%. Mixed reality plays a complementary partial mediating role in the relationship between tourism content and visitor experience, confirming its relevance in the contemporary tourism experience.

Tourism and HospitalityVol. 7(1)
Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administracao do Porto (PT), Instituto Politécnico de Leiria (PT), Universidade Politécnica do Cávado e do Ave (PT), Universidade Politécnica de Bragança (PT), Polytechnic Institute of Porto (PT)
Decent work and economic growth
Openalex Percentile: Top 96%
Augmented Reality Applications
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Mixed Reality and Its Content Developed to Enhance the Tourist Experience — Ivan Oliveira Gonçalves, Bruno Barbosa Sousa, et al. · Tourism and Hospitality (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS