The Role of Human–Machine Interactive Devices for Post-COVID-19 Innovative Sustainable Tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

In this research article, we aim to study the proposed role of human–machine interactive (HMI) technologies, including both artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR)-enabled applications, for the post-COVID-19 revival of the already depleted tourism industry in Vietnam’s major tourist destination and business hub of Ho Chi Minh City. The researchers aim to gather practical knowledge regarding tourists’ intentions for such service enhancements, which may drive the sector to adopt a better conclusive growth pattern in post-COVID-19 times. In this study, we attempt to focus on travelers who look for paramount safety with the assurance of empathetic, personalized care in post-COVID-19 times. In the current study, the authors employ structural equation modeling to evaluate the intentions of tourists both structurally and empirically for destination tourism with data collected from tourists with previous exposure to various kinds of these devices. The study shows that human–machine interactive devices are integrating AI and VR and have a significant effect on overall service quality, leading to tourist satisfaction and loyalty. The use of such social interactive gadgets within tourism and mostly in hospitality services requires an organization to make a commitment to futuristic technologies, along with building value by enriching service quality expectations among fearful tourists. This research shows that tourists mainly focus on the use of such HMI devices from the perspective of technology acceptance factors, qualitative value-enhancing service and trustworthy information-sharing mechanisms. The concept of the tour bubble framework is also discussed in detail. The analysis of this discussion gives us a more profound understanding of the novel opportunities which various administrative agencies may benefit from to position these devices better in smart, sustainable destination tourism strategies for the future so that, collectively, service 5.0 with HMI devices can possibly bring back tourism from being disintegrated. Such service applications are the new social innovations leading to sustainable service and a sophisticated experience for all tourists.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Tourism Industry: Applying TRIZ and DEMATEL to Construct a Decision-Making Model

“…In Hong Kong, China, the "travel bubble" plan allows tourists to travel to the country without quarantine, and the relationship between the destination of the COVID-19 pandemic "travel bubble" and travel intent has been investigated [82]. In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, qualitative and quantitative methods were used to discuss and study the human-machine interactive (HMI) technologies and the psychological factors in the "bubble zones" of tourist destinations [53]. In the Pacific, this is a commentary article; the COVID-19 pandemic has caused travel restrictions, and the economies of these 22 countries have been severely hit; as Australia and New Zealand are effectively managing COVID-19, the "bubble" plan may allow the tourism that many countries depend on to begin flowing again [139].…”

“…Most of the early literature may be limited to the exploration of a wide range of issues related to the quantitative or qualitative nature of second-hand data analysis related to tourism issues [23][24][25][26][27], tourism management issues and related strategic issues under the pandemic [28][29][30][31][32][33], and the satisfaction issues of accommodation and restaurants under the pandemic [34][35][36][37]. Some of the researchers study the economic issues that affect the tourism industry in the COVID-19 pandemic [38][39][40][41][42][43][44], discuss the psychological issues of travel stakeholders in the pandemic [45][46][47][48][49][50], or perform research on Tourism and Virtual Reality (VR) [51][52][53]. Past research has focused on six functions.…”

Public Perception and Reception of Robotic Applications in Public Health Emergencies Based on a Questionnaire Survey Conducted during COVID-19

“…The third type is the robots equipped with expanded functions to address the secondary effects of the pandemic. For example, Scassellati and Vázquez [17] reported on the role of robots in areas such as education and the economy, and in China and Vietnam, robots have been used in the daily operations of hotels [18,19].…”

New Normal Policy: Promosi Kebijakan Pariwisata Dalam Rangka Percepatan Penanganan Dampak Covid-19

“…Dalam lanskap pariwisata pasca-COVID, membangun minat dan membangkitkan emosi positif terhadap produk pariwisata sangat penting untuk pemulihan destinasi (Yung et al, 2020). Citra destinasi cukup banyak sebagai tempat yang aman dan terjamin di mana pelancong akan merasa lebih baik (Van et al, 2020). Pemerintah Indonesia menetapkan masa transisi kenormalan baru pada awal Juni 2020 (Anies, dalam Setyawan 2020).…”

“…Untuk membangun minat dan membangkitkan emosi positif terhadap produk wisata (Yung et al, 2020) dan mengembalikan citra destinasi sebagai tempat yang aman dan terjamin bagi pelancong (Van et al, 2020) pasca pandemi, pada masa transisi kenormalan baru pemerintah Indonesia mengeluarkan kebijakan untuk mempersiapkan destinasi wisata melalui peningkatan sarana di destinasi, menyusun protokol kesehatan/protokol CHSE, memonitoring implementasi protokol CHSE di destinasi melalui sertifikasi I Do Care. Dan sebagai upaya peningkatan atraksi di destinasi diselenggarakan virtual & Hybrid Events, destinasi juga mulai dipromosikan kembali melalui campaign, Key Opinion Leader (KOL), dan Sales Mission.…”