Virtual Leisure and Recreation Reality and Well-Being During COVID-19 Pandemic - The Future of Ghana Tourism: Does Technological SelfEfficacy Matter

Abstract

This study examined (i) the impact of COVID-19 on practice of virtual participation in leisure and recreation activities in Ghana; (ii) the challenges in the use of virtual approaches as well as the future successes of Ghana Tourism considering the new paradigm of participating in leisure virtually; and (iii) the moderating role of technological self-efficacy on virtual leisure and recreation reality and psychological well-being nexus. Mixed method approach was employed. Data analysis included thematic content analysis and PLS-SEM. Most people explored virtual leisure because of COVID-19. Ghana’s inadequate or unreliable internet, high data costs, lack of technical skills, and regular power outages prevented access to actual virtual tools. Technological self-efficacy boosted the virtual leisure and recreation reality experience and tempered its effect on well-being. The findings of this research have imperative implications for virtual leisure and recreation reality and the role of technological self-efficacy. Empirically, this study has validated the significant role of technological self-efficacy in promoting virtual leisure and recreation reality and psychological well-being. Indeed, the use of virtual reality for leisure and recreation is crucial during pandemics. This study provides a deeper understanding of virtual leisure and recreation reality and its effect on psychological well-being in a developing country. Thus, the findings of this pioneering study contributed to self-efficacy and Bandura’s social cognitive theory.

Keywords

• virtual leisure
• recreation
• covid-19
• tourism
• technological self-efficacy