Virtual experience as alternative form of tourism

The aim of the research is to investigate the issues of experiencial tourism, exploring an alternative form of tourism that could be identified in the offer of virtual tourist product as the virtual experience. In particular, in consideration of the research of experiences by tourists and the fast acceleration of digital world in the pandemic, the contribution identify new form of tourism offer that is compatible with the physical distancing needed in order to limit the contagion: the experiential virtual products. RESEARCH methods For the research I used a mixed methodology, strating from the analisys of the territories and the analysis of the virtual experience offered on the territory of Rome. In particular, the methodology for collecting information was articulated in direct observation, questionnaires addressed to the licenced tour guides in Rome – the sample of questionnaire proposed to tour guide is 300 and the respondents are approximately 1/3 of the sample – and extensive interviews to the workers offering virtual experiences. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION From the results it emerges the need to rethink tourism products offered before the pandemic. Thus, it emerge that a small part of the sample update the tourist and experiential offer through the technology support creating an innovation in the cultural disdtirbution offer and in the tourism system that appear very diversificated. Thus, the tourist crisis as a result of the ongoing health emergency creates the need to respond with a re-planning of the offer based on the renewed needs of tourists and individuals. In this panorama, an example of resilience of the experiential tourism offer could be observed in the form of the virtual experience. IMPLICATIONS In conclusion, the research allowed to observe on one side how on the occasion of the sudden pandemic that in a few months paralyzed the world of tourism, the creative spirit and resilience of tour operators and employees in the tourism system, supported by digital tools, gave life to alternative forms of tourism as the virtual tours and online experiences, on the other side, the reluctance to choise the digital as an instrument to offert an alternative cultural proposal.