Virtual museum tours: which audience follows them?

A 2020 article on Artribune examines the demographics and reception of virtual museum tours, arguing that while older generations (baby boomers) may be the primary target due to travel barriers and digital unfamiliarity, younger audiences—despite being avid gamers—often resist virtual tours to preserve the authenticity of in-person museum experiences. The piece cites 2018 data from Europa Today and VoxEurop showing 52% of Italians have never left Italy, and an AESVI report indicating 96% of 6–17-year-olds and 71% of young adults (average age 28) play video games. It critiques the limitations of Google Arts & Culture's Street View mode (360° horizontal, 160° vertical) compared to immersive games like Occupy White Walls or Half Life Alyx, which offer greater interactivity and realism. The author, Marlene L. Müller, suggests that younger generations, saturated with online activities including remote learning, may reject virtual museum visits to protect the symbolic, contemplative nature of physical museum spaces.