DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) TOURISM IN RURAL AREAS: A GIS-BASED APPROACH

This paper provides an overview of a development model for virtual reality (VR) tourism using Geographic Information System (GIS) data and spatial distribution analysis of potential tourism products. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus groups, gather insights from stakeholders, including tourists, local communities, and tourism industry professionals, regarding their perceptions, expectations, and preferences. Quantitative methods, such as surveys and data analysis, provide a comprehensive understanding of visitor demographics, preferences, and the economic impact of VR tourism. The findings of the study focus on identifying and analysing the components of tourism products and data information specifically within the rural area of the Perak Tengah District. Information about tourism products is collected and encoded into a GIS database. The introduction of a new classification system justifies the development model and outlines a detailed process for each stage of the framework's methodologies. The originality and value of this research used a mixed-methods approach to gather qualitative and quantitative data, illustrating the overview of VR tourism development using the GIS tool approach specifically for tourism products in rural areas.