Abstract
During the time of the pandemic, travel restrictions have impacted the tourism industry with an estimated loss of more than a trillion USD; however, at the same time, we have seen a significant increase in profits for the industries which empower remote connectivity. Various studies have identified the positive impact of virtual tourism, in which tourists can be attracted by providing a VR/AR-based experience of the destination. Similarly, virtual, mixed, and augmented realities are being used to enhance user experience in digital heritage and its preservation. With emerging technologies and increasing demand for e-tourism (due to travel restrictions), there is a need to review the technological changes and analyze user requirements with respect to virtual tourism. This paper provides a literature review of the latest technologies and applications that can potentially benefit the virtual tourism and digital heritage industry. We also provide an analysis of its impact on user experience, awareness, and interest, as well as the pros and cons of virtual experiences, which may benefit the research community about the current spectrum of virtual tourism and digital heritage.