VIRTUAL ANIMAL TOURISM: THE CASE OF THE GIANT PANDA

This study uses the giant panda as the case in point to explore the impact of virtual animal tourism on travelers’ place attachment and well-being. As digital technologies advance, virtual animal tourism experiences are becoming an alternative or complementary means for individuals to be engaged in tourism activities. This study attempts to develop a typology of virtual animal tourism activities and experiences. It intends to showcase how virtual activity design factors may influence tourist sense of place development and their sense of well-being as a result of participating in virtual animal tourism. An exploratory mixed-method approach is utilized. The data comes from participant interviews and online surveys. The outcome of this research lends theoretical and practical insights into animal conservation and virtual tourism experience design.