Contrived Landscapes: Simulated Environments as an Emerging Medium of Tourism Destinations
SCOTT A. FORRESTER and SHALINI SINGH

This paper explores the idea of simulated tourism environments as an emergent medium of tourism destinations. Several simulated tourism environments will be exemplified from which some obvious characteristics of these artificial environments will be offered as a means of developing an understanding of this emerging phenomenon. Drawing on a range of sources including academic, popular fiction, and travel literature and promotional materials, the author(s) examine the way in which simulated tourism is developing. Although the discussion will focus mainly on simulated tourism environments, it will also address some of the philosophical considerations that underpin this visible trend. Subsequently, this paper will offer an analysis of how tourist experiences are affected as a result of the simulated settings. The analysis will include an examination of the differences between the motives of tourists involving themselves with these environments and those seeking more naturalized experiences. In conclusion, a brief handling of a select few global, commercial, and environmental trends will be presented with a view to present contradictions while posing scenarios and questions for future researchers concerning techno-enabled tourism products.

Keywords: simulated environments, trends, experiences, motivations, research.