A response to the educational roadblock due to the pandemic: how can a university virtual tour experience affect enrolment intentions?

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have prohibited physical and social gatherings. The same applies in the education sector, where open houses are forbidden. To help solve the issue, we decided to investigate the impact of virtual tour experiences on enrolment intentions. The virtual tour is a simulation experience incorporating various media device. The experiences felt by the participants were compiled via a survey participated by 325 high school students in Indonesia, where results were evaluated by PLS-SEM. The results show that enrolment intention is affected by four difference experiences. The sensory and behavioural experiences involve the physical actions related to the experience. The emotional and intellectual experiences involve the relationship between the participant's psychology and the university's image. This is one the earliest studies on the impact of virtual tours on enrolment intentions. It can be an effective method through its ability to give first-hand experience around the university.