Purpose

As exponential technologies continue to transform business models rapidly, there is a growing focus on metaverse research within the tourism industry. Despite the significant findings, the practical discussion of high-cost and resource-demanding space tourism within the metaverse platform is still abstract. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of virtual space tourism and consumer motivations inspired by the intrinsic principles of the sharing economy business model and the metaverse platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

By gathering primary data through questionnaires from individuals interested in virtual space tourism and using the 530 valid responses, this study uses the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) along with the status quo bias theory (SQB) to better comprehend travelers’ motivations for engaging with the metaverse in space tourism.

Findings

The study confirms UTAUT2’s effectiveness in predicting travelers’ adoption behavior. Specifically, factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, price value and facilitating conditions significantly impact attitudes and behavioral intentions toward adopting the metaverse for space tourism. Furthermore, skepticism significantly moderates the relationship between attitudes and behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to empirically explore the motivations for using metaverse capabilities in the context of space tourism. In line with recent calls for more research on advancing UN sustainable development goals through the metaverse platform, this research discusses findings based on eight shared attributes in both sharing economies and the metaverse platforms that offer the potential for sustainable, socialized and affordable access to space tourism. In addition to the managerial implications, this study outlines future research directions, drawing on insights from the sharing economy’s success in the tourism industry.

中文翻译：

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从最后的前沿到虚拟宇宙：探索共享经济原则在太空旅游革命中的作用

 目的

随着指数技术继续快速改变商业模式，旅游业内的元宇宙研究越来越受到关注。尽管有重要的发现，但在元宇宙平台内对高成本和资源需求的太空旅游的实际讨论仍然是抽象的。本研究旨在受共享经济商业模式和元界平台内在原理的启发，提供对虚拟空间旅游和消费者动机的全面理解。

设计/方法论/途径

通过对虚拟太空旅游感兴趣的个人进行问卷调查并使用 530 份有效回复收集主要数据，本研究使用技术接受和使用统一理论 2 (UTAUT2) 以及现状偏差理论 (SQB) 来更好地理解旅行者参与太空旅游虚拟宇宙的动机。

 发现

该研究证实了 UTAUT2 在预测旅行者收养行为方面的有效性。具体而言，绩效期望、努力期望、社会影响、享乐动机、价格价值和便利条件等因素显着影响采用虚拟宇宙进行太空旅游的态度和行为意图。此外，怀疑主义显着调节态度和行为意图之间的关系。

 原创性/价值

这项研究是第一个实证探索在太空旅游背景下使用虚拟宇宙功能的动机的研究之一。最近呼吁开展更多关于通过元界平台推进联合国可持续发展目标的研究，本研究讨论了基于共享经济和元界平台的八个共享属性的研究结果，这些属性为可持续、社会化和负担得起的太空旅游提供了潜力。除了管理影响之外，本研究还借鉴了共享经济在旅游业的成功经验，概述了未来的研究方向。