Telepresence in tourism and hospitality: a meta-analytic review of virtual environment

Virtual environments are widely used in tourism and hospitality. Several studies have used the concept of telepresence in the last decade to understand the effects of virtual environments. This meta-analysis tests through meta-analytic structural equation modeling two comprehensive frameworks to clarify the effects of telepresence in different types of virtual environments (websites, videos, live streaming, mobile apps, virtual reality, argument reality, and metaverse). The first model, technological embodiment, demonstrated that virtual representation positively affects telepresence. This effect is partially mediated by effectiveness, interactivity, and vividness. The second model, telepresence-induced behavioural, demonstrated that telepresence positively affects intentions. This effect is partially mediated by satisfaction, flow, and enjoyment. Finally, through moderation analysis, anthropomorphic (vs. photographic), virtual tours (vs. online videos), and images with text (vs. images) tend to strengthen (weaken) the relationship between virtual representation and telepresence, while video (vs. animation), virtual tour (vs. online videos), and anthropomorphic (vs. photographic) tend to strengthen (weaken) the relationship between telepresence and intentions.