Abstract
This paper rationalises a second life based virtual community
model for enhancing tourism destination accessibility in developing countries.
Firstly, the paper reports a literature review on the existing virtual world based
community models used in industries such as entertainment, education, nursing
and health. Ten cases were selected from the literature and evaluated using
the typology of virtual communities propounded by Porter (2006). Secondly,
a meta – content analysis of second life based tourism groups and places has
been undertaken to investigate the level of usage of second life in tourism
related endeavours in a global context. Nine places and 20 groups were
identified in second life which are focusing on tourism related information
and experience sharing. Finally, a second life based virtual community
model to increase the destination accessibility of tourism products has been
rationalised. Implementing the proposed community model is expected to
enhance the tourism destination accessibility for users of different categories.
model for enhancing tourism destination accessibility in developing countries.
Firstly, the paper reports a literature review on the existing virtual world based
community models used in industries such as entertainment, education, nursing
and health. Ten cases were selected from the literature and evaluated using
the typology of virtual communities propounded by Porter (2006). Secondly,
a meta – content analysis of second life based tourism groups and places has
been undertaken to investigate the level of usage of second life in tourism
related endeavours in a global context. Nine places and 20 groups were
identified in second life which are focusing on tourism related information
and experience sharing. Finally, a second life based virtual community
model to increase the destination accessibility of tourism products has been
rationalised. Implementing the proposed community model is expected to
enhance the tourism destination accessibility for users of different categories.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 269-285 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | International Journal of Collaborative Enterprise |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- second life; virtual community; accessibility; tourism destinations; developing countries.