This is a webinar only event due to COVID-19 restrictions. Registration is required via Zoom

Imagine what tourism in 2030 will look like? We take you on a journey in which we explore how Extended Reality technologies will shape the future, whether it is emerging trends, the science behind XR technology, the metaverse, tourist behaviours, or how XR technology will change the way we do tourism. Three prominent researchers in XR technologies explore their ideas, research and thoughts for 2030.

Faizan Ali: Emerging Trends

XR technologies have undergone evolutions over the last few decades including improvements in immersion and the feeling of telepresence. Several examples of the applications of such techniques can be found in tourism industry. Dr Ali’s talk will focus on the tourism industry and discuss the most important trends in the XR applications over time, leading to predictions and suggestions for future of XR technology applications.

Dr Faizan Ali is an Associate Professor in the School of Hospitality and Technology Management, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida. He is also the coordinator for M3 Center for Innovation in Hospitality and his research focuses on the applications of technology in hospitality and tourism industry and resulting consumer behavior.

Timothy Jung: The Metaverse

The Metaverse is the augmented virtual world which is derived by the convergence of virtual and physical space where users can interact within the augmented world. In this talk, Professor Jung will discuss the future developments of the Metaverse which holds new potential in tourism that combines the technologies like AR/VR/XR, AI, intelligent cloud and NFTs.

Timothy Jung is the Chair Professor of XR and the Director of the Creative AR & VR Hub at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He is the Chair of the annual International XR Conference and the President of International Association of Immersive Technology Innovation (IAITI).

Christopher Maymon: Emotional Experiences

Will ‘travelling’ to new places via XR technology stimulate or satiate people’s appetite for travel in the real world? In this talk, Dr Maymon will present some recent findings from his psychology research, demonstrating how emotional experiences drive our subjective sense of being in a place.

Dr Christopher Maymon is a research fellow at the School of Psychology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, where he leverages Virtual Reality technology to investigate how emotional states influence consciousness and our ability to process information about our surroundings.

Naji Gharibi: Chair

This webinar will be chaired by Naji Gharibi, who is working towards a PhD in Tourism Management at the University. Naji's research aims to uncover the impacts of XR technologies on tourists’ behaviour. Her main interest is future of tourism, new technologies and tourists' behaviour/emotions.