Tourists’ visual attention and preference of intangible cultural heritage

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is a significant resource for integrating culture and tourism and an essential content of tourism development. This research used an eye-tracking experiment, a retrospective oral report, and a questionnaire survey to collect tourists’ objective eye movement data and subjective preference for ICH. Results indicated a significant difference in tourists’ visual attention and preference for different categories of ICH. Tourists put most visual attention and preference on ICH folk customs and ICH skills. Moreover, character, culture, and life elements are main focus. Findings from the research provide insight into ICH tourism development.