Cultural Tourism Experience Research Articles

Will the decrease in food availability affect food tourism? A historical and contemporary perspective: horizon 2050 article

Purpose This study aims to discuss the possible consequences of food crises caused by unsustainable food production and distribution, as well as how the rapid depletion of food resources may affect human life, destinations and the food tourism industry. Design/methodology/approach To address the lack of research examining the impact of sustainability issues and food crises on food tourism, this study conducted a critical review of the literature and reports related to agriculture, food production and sustainability. Findings Global conflicts, climate change and supply disruptions result in the reduction of food availability and quality. The high price of food and energy in such circumstances will further exacerbate poverty and delay destination development, which will negatively impact food tourism's economic sustainability. Furthermore, local businesses will be limited in their ability to offer a variety of culinary experiences, which will negatively impact the overall experience of food tourism. In this context, there is a pressing need to investigate the experiential aspects of food tourism as well as today's challenges relating to food crises at multiple levels, sustainable approaches, food quality and food services. Research limitations/implications The United Nations, FAO, WHO, UNICEF and other regional and international organizations refer to unsustainable practices and food crises on a variety of levels. Several sectors, including the food tourism industry, are predicted to be negatively affected by the current situation. However, governments have not adopted an emergency code to address this issue, except in some regions experiencing extreme inflation and food shortages. Besides promoting sustainable practices, responding to global crises and enhancing culinary and cultural tourism experiences, food crisis management and sustainability efforts can have a significant impact on future research, practical applications and societal outcomes. Originality/value As one of the first studies conducted in this field, this study examines the effects of declines in food production and issues in the supply chain on the food tourism industry.

Research on the Enhancement of Chongqing Cyberpunk Cultural Tourism Experience under the Background of Culture and Tourism Integration

As a new trend in tourism and cultural development, the integration of culture and tourism is capturing the zeitgeist with its unique charm. In this context, various regions have explored distinctive cultural tourism resources and created unique tourism brands through in-depth exploration and innovation of local culture. Chongqing, with its unique geomorphological features and distinctive architectural style, retains the deep flavor of traditional Chinese culture while cleverly integrating the futuristic sense of modern technology. This combination aligns perfectly with today’s popular Chinese cyberpunk style, making Chongqing an ideal place for the development of cyberpunk cultural tourism. This article investigates the history of cyberpunk culture and its current development status in Chongqing through a literature review. It then discusses the feasibility of developing cyberpunk cultural tourism in terms of social and cultural development needs and market demand. Based on a survey of cyberpunk tourists’ experiences, the article deeply analyzes the existing problems of cyberpunk cultural tourism in Chongqing and proposes corresponding experience enhancement strategies, aiming to provide references for the development of cyberpunk cultural tourism in Chongqing Municipality.

Tourists Perceptions of Cultural Experiences in Heritage Hotels in Queretaro City

Summary In this case study, we identify themes related to cultural tourism experience in boutique and non-boutique heritage hotels in Queretaro City, Mexico to determine whether there are differentiating elements that could be useful as a competitive strategy. We did a content analysis using web scraping and supervised text mining techniques, allowing us to statistically analyze 1040 guest reviews collected on TripAdvisor from January 2016 to December 2019. We made and validated a codebook to identify and characterize cultural tourism experiences in Mexican heritage hotels. We found that the experience of escapism, the perceived quality, and authenticity are significant differentiating elements between boutique heritage hotels and non-boutique heritage hotels. Information © The Authors 2024

Cave Dwelling: the History and Cultural Inheritance in Contemporary Shanxi

Shanxi cave dwellings are a unique habitat and cultural treasure of the Chinese nation, embodying the wisdom and life imprints of the people of the Loess Plateau. With ancient origins rooted in cave dwelling civilizations, Shanxi cave dwellings have evolved over millennia, gradually forming distinctive architectural styles and ways of life. These dwellings are not only the homes of Shanxi farmers but also the cradle of rich and diverse folk cultures deeply intertwined with the literary and artistic heritage of Shanxi. At the same time, their layout and structure reflect the social stratification and family concepts of the local society. With the onset of modernization, the impact of urbanization and new residential trends has posed unprecedented challenges to cave dwelling culture. To safeguard this precious intangible cultural heritage, both central and local governments have introduced a series of protection policies and implemented practical actions. More importantly, it is necessary to vigorously promote innovation and inheritance on the basis of protection, integrating cave dwelling elements into modern design, promoting cultural tourism experiences, and developing cultural and creative industries. This will revitalize this ancient and unique human habitat civilization in contemporary society, continuing the cultural confidence and national spirit of the Shanxi people.

The role of authenticity, involvement and experience quality in heritage destinations

This research explores the impact of authenticity and involvement on destination image, aiming to comprehend visitor satisfaction, experience quality, re-patronage intentions, willingness to pay more, and word-of-mouth. Structural equation modelling was employed for analysis using data from 394 visitors to Side, Turkey. According to research findings, authenticity and involvement positively influence destination image. The findings demonstrate that developing re-patronage intentions, word-of-mouth recommendations, and willingness to pay more can be facilitated through experience quality and satisfaction. Also, it is proved that satisfaction is positively influenced by destination image. Moreover, authenticity and involvement positively influence destination image. According to research results, to increase willingness to pay, it is imperative to offer a high-quality cultural tourism experience, wherein tourists gain knowledge about the heritage destination and enjoy the experience while deeply engaging with the surroundings. Furthermore, public and private organisations should design visitor experiences that consider authenticity and involvement to enhance destination image and increase customer satisfaction.

Affordance, digital media literacy, and emotions in virtual cultural heritage tourism experiences

This study aims to investigate the effect of both the affordance of virtual reality (VR) technology and users’ digital media literacy on users’ emotions, which leads to recommendations to use VR experiences in cultural heritage tourism. A survey was conducted at a realistic VR studio in Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, South Korea using high-quality and sophisticated VR content that accurately reflects users’ physical movements in real-time rendering. A total of 157 visitors participated in the study, and the measurement model and structural model were analysed using partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that the cognitive, physical, sensory, and functional affordance of VR devices, as well as user digital media literacy, had a significant effect on the visitors’ positive emotional experiences. In addition, visitors’ positive emotions had a significant effect on the recommendation intention. This empirical result shows that digital media literacy is a new major variable that affects the virtual experience of cultural heritage sites.

Exploring the Cultural Significance and Economic Potential of a Wau Bulan Chatbot

This research paper aims to investigate the impact of cultural tourism on the economic development of a country. Cultural tourism, defined as tourism centred on cultural attractions and products, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism industry. It plays a significant role in attracting visitors, generating revenue, and fostering cultural exchange. This study explores the cultural significance of Wau Bulan, a traditional Malaysian kite, as a case study to understand how cultural tourism can contribute to the country’s economic growth. Through an analysis of literature and case studies, the research highlights the various types of Wau Bulan, traditional manufacturing techniques, cultural symbolism, and regional craftsmanship. Additionally, it explores successful cultural tourism approaches implemented in other countries, such as China’s "One Belt, One Road" initiative and Japan’s cherry blossom season. The findings emphasize the importance of preserving cultural heritage, promoting cultural tourism, and harnessing its potential to boost the tourism industry and overall economy. The research concludes by suggesting strategies to further enhance cultural tourism experiences and maximize its benefits for local communities and tourists alike.

Discussion on the Development of Tea Tourism Experience Products in Bashan Village in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province

Experience economies place a strong emphasis on satisfying customers' emotions and value their psychological experiences as they engage in consumer activity. This paper examines the current state and issues facing the rural industry and takes Bashan Village in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province as a case study. It proposes a roadmap for transforming and upgrading the rural sector and creating products for cultural tourism experiences. The goal is to serve as a resource for future efforts to implement the rural revitalization strategy in domestic villages, taking into account experience economy guidelines and the needs of the strategy.

Developing new forms of tourism based on intangible culture heritage and creativity in Egypt

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the need to establish linkages between tourism, intangible cultural heritage and creativity in Egypt and also diversifying tourism through creativity; and to analyze and explain the impact of intangible cultural heritage on tourism experience in Egypt and the opportunities to generate added value from integrating tourism and creativity. It also suggests some practical steps for developing intangible cultural heritage-based tourism models in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes a conceptual framework for integrating intangible cultural heritage with tourism in Egypt and its impact on tourism experience. To apply this framework, a case study was conducted focused on the tourism experience derived from intangible cultural heritage in Alexandria. The authors collected primary data by directly observing and experiencing tourism in Egypt, providing valuable firsthand experiential data. These observations offered insights into the practical aspects of intangible cultural heritage-based tourism in Egypt. In addition, secondary data sources such as academic research papers, reports and publications related to tourism and intangible cultural heritage experiences were utilized to support and complement the primary data.FindingsFindings suggest the need for a different approach in intangible heritage based tourism promotion and consumption, an approach that may differ from the conventional and typical considerations in cultural tourism planning and management. In addition, findings emphasized that tourism-based intangible heritage in Egypt can be a constructive platform and sustainable tool to promote the country’s rich culture and traditions while providing employment opportunities for the local population.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides an exploratory overview of integrating intangible heritage with tourism in Egypt, through exploring Egypt’s intangible heritage and proposing a framework of its inclusion, in order to create an intangible cultural heritage tourism experience. However, the proposed framework and packages should be analyzed and examined on the ground through the heritage, administrative, social and tourist aspects of the destination, to assess the viability of the study.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this study should be addressed to the decision makers working on management action plans in tourist destinations in Egypt, such as site mangers as well as tour operators. It could contribute to adopting a new approach in developing and implementing a mutually beneficial partnership between intangible heritage and tourism in Egypt.Originality/valueIt is the first study that presents practical steps to develop new models for linking intangible heritage to tourism in Egypt.

Development and Application of Concentric Lock Platform Under Digital Cultural Tourism Product Innovation

With the global spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the traditional tourism industry has suffered an unprecedented impact, pushing the tourism industry towards digital transformation. As an important direction of this transformation, digital cultural tourism (digital Literature & Tourism) utilizes the latest digital technologies such as 3D simulation, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), etc., to provide a brand-new form of cultural and tourism experience. Taking the concentric lock platform as an example, this study explores the development and application under the innovation of digital cultural and tourism products, analyzes its contribution to the recovery of tourism, cultural inheritance and innovation, and puts forward the outlook for future development. Designed with the concepts of emotional interaction, cultural inheritance and technological innovation, the concentric lock platform provides a space where users can padlock their locks in a virtual environment to express their emotions and share their stories. The platform not only redefines the emotional connection between couples, but also provides a new profit model and cultural inheritance for tourist attractions. In terms of technical realization, the platform adopts cloud computing to support high concurrent access, and utilizes technologies such as WebGL and Three.js to render complex 3D graphics in web browsers to create realistic virtual attraction models for users, while focusing on data security and privacy protection. The platform's functional modules include the padlocking and viewing of virtual concentric locks, the withdrawal process of breaking up locks, as well as a rich cloud tourism experience and cultural heritage content, which meets the diversified needs of users. By cooperating with tourist attractions, the concentric lock platform developed the virtual concentric lock function with attractions as the background, promoting cultural heritage and tourism recovery. Especially during the epidemic, the platform provided global users with the possibility of cloud tourism and virtual emotional interaction, effectively mitigating the impact of the tourism industry affected by the epidemic. In the Discussion and Outlook section, this study points out that the concentric lock platform and similar digital cultural and tourism products face challenges and opportunities in terms of technological development, market demand, cultural heritage and social impact. In the future, with the application of new technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence, more personalized and interactive cultural tourism experiences are expected to be developed. At the same time, how to effectively integrate online experiences with on-the-ground tourism activities, protect user privacy and ensure data security will be the key issues to be solved for digital cultural tourism products such as the concentric lock platform. To summarize, the concentric lock platform, as a typical case of digital cultural tourism, not only shows the potential of digital technology application in the field of cultural tourism, but also provides an effective strategy and practice case for the digital transformation of the tourism industry. With the continuous progress of technology and increasing consumer demand, the future development of the digital cultural tourism field will be broader, providing people with richer and deeper cultural tourism experience.

Does tourism experience matter in cultural tourism destinations? Predicting future tourist behavior

Cultural tourism, as a niche market in the service-intensive tourism industry, has distinctive characteristics, experiences, and different individual consequences. The primary objective of this study is to explore the underlying substantial dimension of cultural tourism experiences in predicting tourists’ behaviors to stimulate electronic word-of-mouth (e-WoM) and shaping the cultural destination image. A quantitative approach was conducted with PLS-SEM to analyze data for tourists visiting the culture tourism village at Gorontalo, in Indonesia. The bootstrapping procedure is used to test the mediation effect, with direct and indirect effects analyzed. The results indicate that among the various components of the cultural tourism experience, relaxation and learning about the local culture are particularly significant in generating tourist e-wom behavior. The study also acknowledges the crucial role of e-WoM in cultural tourism as a mediator among relaxation, learn local culture, and destination image. Ultimately, these findings emphasize the importance of cultural tourism in showcasing experiences that provide relaxation and new knowledge originating from destinations. This research contributes to an enhanced understanding of the diverse impact of the cultural tourism experience dimension and its consequences for tourist behavior.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Use of Augmented Reality Technology in Enhancing Cultural Tourism Experience

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of augmented reality (AR) technology in the enhancement of cultural tourism experiences. By examining literature from 1999 to 2024, this study maps the scholarly terrain, identifying pivotal themes and assessing the growth trajectory of AR in cultural tourism. The research employs systematic data collection and analysis methods, including keyword co-occurrence, citation patterns, and trend analysis, to highlight the integration of AR in cultural heritage sites and its impact on the tourism industry. A particular focus is given to the shift from technological foundations to user-centric adoption and acceptance of AR. The main findings reveal a well-established focus on "Model," "Cultural heritage tourism," and "Mobile augmented reality," with emerging areas such as "Virtual tourism" and "Mobile augmented reality acceptance" marked for future exploration. The research novelty lies in the comprehensive temporal mapping and the identification of potential research gaps within the evolving AR landscape. The study concludes with insights into how AR is revolutionizing cultural tourism by providing enriched, educational, and interactive experiences, thereby underscoring the field's dynamic progression and its untapped potential in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Designing and Implementing a Digital Management Platform in the Era of Big Data for Enriching Cultural Tourism Experiences

Designing and Implementing a Digital Management Platform in the Era of Big Data for Enriching Cultural Tourism Experiences

Progress and Review of Domestic Cultural Tourism Experience Research

Progress and Review of Domestic Cultural Tourism Experience Research

TOURIST IN FABULA: A SEMIOTIC APPROACH TO HERITAGE IN INTERPRETATIVE, COLLABORATIVE AND MEMORABLE CULTURAL TOURISM EXPERIENCES

The touristic narrative of heritage constitutes an element with which tourists engage during their cultural experiences. However, its significance has not been widely explored in relation to the Memorable Tourism Experiences Scale (MTEs) proposed by Kim (2014). The aim of this study is to develop a model from the perspective of semiotics in the context of supermodernity that analyzes and emphasizes the role of touristic narrative in cultural tourist experiences. This attribute is considered a potential destination feature capable of significantly influencing memorability. The homologation of concepts and subjects from Umberto Eco's model, "Lector in Fabula" to the context of cultural tourism experiences has enabled the creation of the "Tourist in Fabula" model. Through this lens, it becomes evident that touristic narrative plays a substantial role in influencing the memorability of an experience.

Cultural tourism experiences and children with disabilities: are Italian museums ready?

ABSTRACT In recent years, research on accessible and inclusive tourism has grown considerably. However, the target of families with children with disabilities and their experiences in the cultural and museum fields have been neglected. The paper addresses this research gap by exploring the level of accessibility of Italian museums in terms of facilities, services, and personnel. Museums are integral components of the cultural tourism sector, and our paper investigates whether families with children with disabilities are taken into consideration and if their needs addressed. By employing a cluster analysis, three museum clusters were identified, each presenting significant differences in attitudes towards accessibility and inclusion, ranging from the most accessible to those museums with bigger areas of improvement. The subsequent discussion dissects these findings and formulates strategic recommendations and implications that could represent an opportunity to foster inclusion within cultural institutions and propel the academic discourse on the subject.

Development of guiding virtual reality at the Sultanate Palace in North Maluku as cultural tourism content

Virtual reality is a new phenomenon that has rapidly developed over the past few years, while studies on the development of virtual reality in cultural objects such as sultanate palaces are still very few, so further studies are needed. This research aims to develop virtual reality as a guiding and promotional media for cultural tourism of the sultanate palace in North Maluku, especially the sultanate palace of Ternate and Bacan. The steps in developing Virtual reality consist of 3 steps. First, take the original image of the palace using drones and cameras. The second step is the development of 3D objects of the sultanate palace using Blender. The third step is application development using Unity and Virtual Reality tools: Smartphones and Cardboard. This research uses the SDLC Waterfall method. Testing in this study uses four stages of the testing process: (1) black box test, (2) media expert test, (3) expert test, and (4) UEQ (User Experience Questionnaire) test. The result of this research is that the availability of virtual guiding applications for the Bacan and Ternate Palaces has created an immersive cultural virtual tourism experience.

Slow Tourism Project to Redistribute Tourist Demand in Lazio: Cost-Benefit Analysis Using Monte Carlo Simulation

This paper examines the potential financial advantages and disadvantages of a project called Feudo Turistico, which proposes the establishment of a slow tourism destination between Rome and Fiuggi. The objective of the project is to reduce the concentration of tourist demand in the city centers of Rome and Fiuggi and instead distribute it across the Lazio region by providing a local cultural and active tourism experience with new services that are currently unavailable in the region. To assess the project’s feasibility, a cost-benefit analysis is conducted using Monte Carlo Simulation with 10,000 trials. This method allows for obtaining the net present value, internal rate of return, and discounted payback period for each simulated combination of input variables and then exploring the location and dispersion of these indicators. A simple random sampling technique is employed to simulate different sets of input parameters using a factor range between pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, where minimum and maximum values are determined based on existing literature, historical data in statistical reports of research institutions, and calculations derived from this data. Furthermore, two different settings are considered regarding the initial distribution of input parameters, and their outcomes are compared. The results and distribution of net present value, internal rate of return, and discounted payback period indicate that the Feudo Turistico project possesses a financially self-sufficient business model, generating cash flows that can repay the initial investment within a few years with a high probability. Keywords: slow tourism, cost-benefit analysis, discounted cash flow, Monte Carlo Simulation

Regional Creative Capacity and Creative Tourism Development. The Case of Cultural Associations in Peripheral Areas

Creative Capacity (RCC) is a dynamic research topic that integrates authentic creativity, indigenous knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship, and networking. RCC is a valuable tool for regional policy makers to achieve economic growth, tourism development, and social cohesion in peripheral areas. Cultural Associations, especially in remote areas, serve as “authentic organizations” related to local culture and traditions that support regional uniqueness, identity, and authenticity, and foster creative capacity through various cultural activities (non-typical museums, local cultural events and festivals, revival of customs, rituals, gastronomy, craft etc.). Nowadays, tourists are increasingly seeking “authentic” cultural tourism experiences that require active participation and co-creation in the community’s customs and manifestations. Therefore, cultural associations can be examined within the broader perspective of creative tourism. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the dynamics of cultural associations can function as a mechanism to encourage creative tourism in peripheral communities, using four creativity criteria: people, process, product, and environment. The study also aims to examine networking opportunities of cultural associations based on three criteria: administrative, spatial and functional, and to propose novel local creative tourism networks. The qualitative research method employed is a case study approach with structured observation, document analysis, and in-depth interviews with nineteen Cultural Associations in the Regional Unit of Rodopi in Northern Greece. Research findings reveal a strong potential for the development of creative tourism in the broader area with highlighted perspectives and options for further action, while emphasizing the need for networking of cultural associations.

Exploring the Role of Quality Tourism Experiences as a Driver of Quality of Life through Personal Lifestyle

Tourism experiences have been recognized for their transformative potential and contributing to improving tourists’ quality of life. Despite this, little is known about the factors that trigger these impacts. This study examines the link between service quality, experiential quality and lifestyle and the influence these have on tourists’ quality of life. Using the Partial Least Square (PLS) technique, data from 367 tourists who participated in cultural and nature-based tourism experiences were analyzed. Results revealed that service quality and experiential quality favor the improvement of tourists’ quality of life, and this impact is mediated by the influence of lifestyle.