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Imagineering is still immature in the field of experience design in tourism. There is not one theory that is commonly accepted. Some aspects crystallized: Imagineering is a holistic concept for a touristic offer that should be represented at every touch point with all stakeholders. This includes how the offer and the provider are displayed on the internet, which became the most important mean of first contact between tourist and provider. The WWW is especially important for inspiration and information search during the pre-purchase phase. Positive virtual experience is very likely to have a positive impact on the buying decision. Consequently, an Imagineering concept has to include the virtual environment as projection screen to perform on. Here, principles of Imagineering are extracted that are suitable for a virtual environment. Ways are shown to transfer them to touristic websites. Additionally, does the implementation of the findings enhance virtual experience and does it have a positive impact on the decision making and purchase of the product? Research was done in form of literature review and an online chat interview with experts of touristic website design.
About the author
Julia Eisenloeffel, MA, did her Master Degree in Innovation and Management in Tourism at the University of Applied Sciences, Salzburg (Austria). She did her Bachelor in Linguistics and Sociology at the University of Konstanz (Germany) and at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu (USA). She is currently based in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
