The Development of Virtual Tourism in the Island of Crete, Greece: A PESTEL analysis.
This study explores the development of virtual tourism in Crete, Greece, using the PESTEL analysis framework. Virtual tourism, enabled by advances in virtual and augmented reality, allows visitors to experience Crete’s historical and cultural landmarks remotely. This can benefit individuals with mobility or financial constraints and serve as a marketing tool while mitigating overtourism and climate-related challenges. The paper examines the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors influencing virtual tourism in Crete, providing insights for policymakers and tourism stakeholders to support its growth.