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.
Activity report
Integration in tourism education:
- The use of digital dome theatre was integrated into a seminar session to explore its impact on student’s learning experience.
- Due to the project activities, one Masters’ student was interested and was keen on utilising the digital dome theatre into her learning and research. This aligns with the overall research project of exploring the different ways of utilising the digital dome to contribute in student’s learning.
Conference presentation and participation:
- Zainal Abidin, H., Shibamoto, Y. and Oura, Y (2026, January 28-31). Transforming Tourism Education: How Digital Dome Theatres Can Enhance Student's Learning [Oral presentation]. 33rd ENTER Tourism Conference, Breda, Netherlands.
- Andrianasolo, R.F. and Zainal Abidin, H. (2026, January 28-31). Beyond VR and AR: Exploring the Potential of Digital Dome Theatres for Destination Marketing [Oral presentation]. 33rd ENTER Tourism Conference, Breda, Netherlands.
Publication:
- A publication for Wakayama Tourism Review is currently being drafted.
Network building:
- Through the ENTER26 conference, the researchers could initiate new networks that were previously inaccessible. Researchers who had experience using immersive experiences in education assisting in ideas and feedback.
