Metaverse

This research examines the Iranian digital community's engagement with the Metaverse, analyzing 14,724 tweets (expanding to 48,620 with retweets) from 23,571 unique users. Interest in the Metaverse among Iranians surged in the seven months following Facebook's rebranding but has since waned. A significant link between digital currency discussions and Metaverse topics was observed. Economic activists in the cryptocurrency market, forming the primary content creators, generally portray the Metaverse positively, focusing on earning opportunities. Another active group includes technology enthusiasts who share the latest Metaverse developments. Moreover, some users integrate Iran's socio-political context into their discussions, often contrasting Iran's technological stance with global giants like Facebook and addressing internet censorship. A distinct perspective comes from users wary of potential colonialist uses of technologies like the Metaverse, expressing apprehension about human subjugation. This sentiment forms the basis of most negative views on the Metaverse's development within the Iranian digital sphere.

This study explores the potential of metaverse technology in advancing sustainable tourism development in alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Through a meta-synthesis analysis following a seven-step approach, 17 articles were selected from an initial pool of 149 and analyzed, identifying six key categories that illustrate how the metaverse contributes to tourism sustainability. The findings emphasize the metaverse's significant role in sustainable tourism by offering economic, educational, technological, and environmental benefits. The metaverse supports long-term sustainability in the sector by enhancing tourism experiences while reducing environmental impact, promoting responsible travel behaviors, and leveraging digital innovations. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to harness metaverse technology to drive innovation, foster sustainability, and develop models that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.