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Meet Your Digital Twin in Space? Profiling International Expat’s Readiness for Metaverse Space Travel, Tech-Savviness, COVID-19 Travel Anxiety, and Travel Fear of Missing Out

Author

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  • Umer Zaman

    (Endicott College of International Studies (ECIS), Woosong University, Daejeon 34606, Korea)

  • Inhyouk Koo

    (Endicott College of International Studies (ECIS), Woosong University, Daejeon 34606, Korea)

  • Saba Abbasi

    (Department of Management Sciences, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Syed Hassan Raza

    (Department of Communication Studies, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 66000, Pakistan)

  • Madeeha Gohar Qureshi

    (Department of Economics, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

Abstract

The metaverse promises an unimaginable future for digital travelers by enabling them to gain unique experiences (e.g., space travel) that would otherwise be impossible in non-virtual reality. Moreover, COVID-19 travel anxiety has triggered growing interest in virtual environments (e.g., metaverse travel) in the aftermath of the pandemic. The cost-conscious and tech-savvy behavior of travelers has been resurrected in the ‘new normal’; however, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is now dictating travelers’ choices for newness, immersive and rewarding travel experiences. To address these emerging trends, promising new technologies, and untested relationships, the present study explored the effects of COVID-19 travel anxiety on the readiness for metaverse space travel. In addition, the moderating influence of tech savviness and travel FOMO was tested on this relationship. Drawing on data of international expats ( N = 386) in UAE, the finding based on structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that the international expat’s readiness for metaverse space travel is positively influenced by their COVID-19 travel anxiety. Moreover, expats with high tendencies of travel FOMO and tech savviness will experience a stronger impact of COVID-19 travel anxiety on their readiness for metaverse space travel. These novel findings guided by prominent theories (e.g., self-determination, SOR, and protection motivation) offer new insights for policy makers and practitioners to strategically achieve digital-tourism transformation and sustainability through emerging and immersive metaverse technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Umer Zaman & Inhyouk Koo & Saba Abbasi & Syed Hassan Raza & Madeeha Gohar Qureshi, 2022. "Meet Your Digital Twin in Space? Profiling International Expat’s Readiness for Metaverse Space Travel, Tech-Savviness, COVID-19 Travel Anxiety, and Travel Fear of Missing Out," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:11:p:6441-:d:823448
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaozhe Hui & Syed Hassan Raza & Sanan Waheed Khan & Umer Zaman & Emenyeonu C. Ogadimma, 2023. "Exploring Regenerative Tourism Using Media Richness Theory: Emerging Role of Immersive Journalism, Metaverse-Based Promotion, Eco-Literacy, and Pro-Environmental Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Salvatore Monaco & Giovanna Sacchi, 2023. "Travelling the Metaverse: Potential Benefits and Main Challenges for Tourism Sectors and Research Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Jussi S. Jauhiainen & Claudia Krohn & Johanna Junnila, 2022. "Metaverse and Sustainability: Systematic Review of Scientific Publications until 2022 and Beyond," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.

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