GLOBAL VIRTUAL VILLAGE AND 360 DEGREE CULTURAL IMMERSION EXPERIENCES AMONG ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES IN AUSTRALIA

Background: Immersive technologies such as 360 degree video, virtual reality, and interactive digital storytelling are increasingly transforming cultural tourism by enabling visitors to experience heritage sites and indigenous practices beyond geographic constraints. For Aboriginal communities in Australia, digital cultural immersion offers new pathways for cultural education, community revenue generation, and narrative sovereignty. However, it also raises accountability issues related to cultural appropriation, data
ownership, consent, and the commodification of sacred knowledge.

Aim: This study examined how the global virtual village concept and 360 degree cultural immersion technologies influence tourism innovation and cultural sustainability among Aboriginal communities in Australia, while assessing governance mechanisms that support ethical digital heritage management.

Methodology: The study adopted a mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews with Aboriginal cultural custodians, digital tourism platform providers, and heritage policy stakeholders, alongside a structured survey of potential cultural tourists. Interviews were conducted across Queensland, New South Wales, and Northern Territory heritage hubs, while the survey produced 360 valid responses. Key constructs included virtual village engagement, perceived cultural authenticity, ethical governance perception, willingness to pay for immersive experiences, and perceived community benefit. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and
structural equation modelling.

Findings: Virtual village engagement significantly improved perceived cultural learning and visitor interest in Aboriginal heritage experiences. 360 degree cultural immersion increased willingness to pay when authenticity cues and community endorsed narratives were visible. Ethical governance perception significantly influenced trust and adoption, indicating that tourists are more likely to participate when they believe content is community controlled and culturally respectful. However, concerns emerged regarding digital replication of sacred spaces, weak consent protocols, and limited community capacity to manage intellectual property and revenue sharing in platform partnerships.

Contributions: This study contributes to digital tourism and indigenous heritage literature by proposing an ethical governance framework for immersive cultural tourism that integrates community consent, data sovereignty, revenue transparency, and cultural sensitivity controls.

Recommendations
Tourism innovators: Co design virtual experiences with Aboriginal custodians and integrate consent based content governance.
Policy makers: Develop digital heritage guidelines that protect sacred knowledge and ensure benefit sharing.
Communities: Strengthen digital capability and contract governance to safeguard cultural rights and improve revenue accountability.