Virtual reality has been studied extensively throughout the year, and presence theory has since established its position as one of the leading theories to study about virtual reality. Characteristic such as vividness and interactivity that acts as trigger to feeling presence inside virtual environment are the basis for any research. This study, extract the usage of construal-level theory into the literature of virtual reality, as construal level theory assume people only feel the present time and place they’re in, while presence theory is about being present inside virtual environment.

Thus, this study attempts to research on this gap, whether the usage of virtual reality does reduce someone’s perceived distance, especially spatial distance. The usage of spatial distance also connects this research to tourism industry, attempting to contribute to see whether virtual reality does in fact form destination image.

Through this study, the result shows that vividness and interactivity of virtual reality does in fact reduce perceived distance and also form destination image. In fact, social presence emerges as one leading factor that influences this formation. Further theoretical and managerial implication will be discussed later.

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