Project title
Exploring the use of immersive digital technologies for tourism education
Research Unit
Primary investigator
Co investigators
ZAINAL ABIDIN Husna, SHIBAMOTO Yurika
Project period
2025/5/1 ～ 2026/3/31
Project summary
As immersive technologies continue to evolve, higher education must adapt to meet the changing learning preferences of younger generations. In tourism education, immersive experiences have shown potential to enhance student engagement and deepen understanding. Despite this, current research has largely focused on Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), with limited studies exploring into the use of digital dome theatres. Digital dome theatres present an underutilized yet powerful tool for creating multi-sensory learning environments. Therefore, this research aims to explore how immersive experiences using a digital dome theatre can be effectively integrated into tourism education. Adopting an exploratory, qualitative approach, the study involves three phases: (1) a literature review to examine relevant theories and current practices in immersive learning; (2) fieldwork and interviews with stakeholders at institutions that utilize dome-based technologies; and (3) a pilot learning session with tourism students at Wakayama University’s Digital Dome Theatre, followed by focus group discussions. The research is significant in its potential to contribute both theoretically and practically, by expanding the discourse on immersive tourism education and its potential to inform curriculum development.
