tourismwhile

Tourismwhile is a term used in tourism studies and popular discourse to describe a mode of tourism that blends in-person travel with digital, remote, or supplementary experiences. It treats travel as an ongoing activity that can be augmented, postponed, or substituted by virtual components.

The word is a neologism formed from “tourism” and the conjunction “while,” emphasizing simultaneity or integration of experiences during or around travel. Its use varies across contexts and is not yet standardized, with different authors emphasizing different dimensions of engagement.

Two broad strands are commonly discussed. The first is hybrid travel, where physical trips are augmented by augmented reality apps, virtual tours, live-streamed experiences, or interactive planning tools that accompany the journey. The second is micro-tourism or home-based tourism, where people engage with destination content, simulations, or live broadcasts from home or other locations as a complement to, or substitute for, actual travel.

Practitioners use tourismwhile in marketing to showcase destinations through multisensory media, and researchers examine its implications for accessibility, sustainability, and cultural representation. It also appears in debates about the future of tourism in the digital economy and in discussions of demand management during pandemics or crises.

Critics warn that heavy reliance on digital experiences can diminish the perceived value of actual travel, contribute to digital fatigue, or widen the gap between those with and without access to technology. Proponents argue it can expand reach, reduce environmental impact, and support inclusivity by lowering entry barriers for certain travellers.

See also: virtual tourism, augmented reality in tourism, sustainable tourism, bleisure, digital nomadism, tourism marketing.