Tourism Entrepreneurship and the Metaverse

This edited collection explores the intersection of tourism and entrepreneurship in the virtual metaverse environment. It examines how entrepreneurs can create, manage, and profit from virtual tourism ventures in a digital space and highlights key technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain. Highlighting both local and global challenges to the sector, including the need to navigate digital disruptions, foster international collaboration, and adapt to rapid technological advancements within culturally diverse tourism landscapes, the book also offers strategic insights, practical methodologies, and case studies to guide entrepreneurs in navigating this emerging frontier.

Covering a variety of topics including tourism and gaming in the metaverse, e-commerce and retail, financing ventures and digital destinations, a particular focus is given to the adaptability, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit required to thrive in this digital space.

Author Biography

Fatima Zahra Fakir is Assistant Professor and Researcher under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Seal of Excellence program at the Department of Economics and Business Sciences ”Marco Fanno” (DSEA), University of Padova, Italy. She has authored various papers and books on topics such as smart tourism, blockchain, and the metaverse. Her research interests encompass smart tourism, sustainable development, and cultural heritage.

Ahmad Albattat is Associate Professor and Program Leader at the School of Global Hospitality and Tourism, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is also a Visiting Professor,external examiner and doctoral supervisor at other institutions. He was working for the Jordanian hospitality industry for 17 years, and he is an editor of various book projects on the topic.

Marco Valeri is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Niccolò Cusano University, Italy, and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Pannonia, Hungary. His research areas include strategy implementation, knowledge management, family business, crisis management, information technology, network analysis. He is a member of several editorial boards of international tourism journals, and reviewer and editor of several handbooks on entrepreneurship, tourism and hospitality management.