Cultural Tourism Research Articles

A Framework for Facilitating Experiential Learning in Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism provides rich opportunities for experiential learning, but a framework to foster such learning is lacking. This study introduces the “learning behaviors-interactive scenarios” framework to explore key facilitators of experiential learning in cultural tourism. Through a literature review, it outlines key learning behaviors in cultural tourism—seeking challenges, critical reflection, and immersive engagement—that drive Kolb's experiential learning model. It examines how activity, information, and interaction scenarios influence these behaviors and enhance learning outcomes. A case study of the Sancai Town Tourism App illustrates the framework's application, with survey results confirming its effectiveness in enhancing cultural understanding. This study addresses three research questions, contributing to a theoretical framework that integrates situational factors with individual learning behaviors, enhancing understanding of experiential learning in cultural tourism and offering insights into its digital transformation.

Feeling Grounded: Exploring the Sense of Groundedness in Cultural Tourism Driven by Live Streaming Technology

As information and communication technology advances, the on-site experience of traditional field tourism is being transformed into a virtual experience under digital tourism. The sense of groundedness occurs when tourists connect to the geography, humanity, and history of destination. Little is known about how technology, marketing, and tourism resources can be combined to enrich the authenticity of the virtual tourism experience. This study explores the main characteristics of groundedness in cultural tourism to address this research gap. It develops and validates the scale for measuring tourism experience based on live streaming technology. The findings also reveal groundedness as a driver of tourists’ willingness and behavior to participate. The study theoretically promotes the development of groundedness and the emerging research on digital cultural tourism marketing. Meanwhile, the study results provide stakeholders with an attractive and implementable tourism perceptual experience—groundedness—implying references for overall sustainable destination development.

Cultural Heritage Management in the Context of Sustainable Tourism: The Case of Öşkvank Monastery (Uzundere, Erzurum)

This research was carried out at the Öşkvank Monastery, located within the Uzundere district of Erzurum province in the northeast of Turkey. Öşkvank Monastery is a significant cultural heritage and tourism asset for the region with a history dating back to the 10th century. Despite its importance as a tourism attraction, the monastery currently lacks any protection or management strategy that threatens the transfer of the monastery to future generations. This research focuses on the management of cultural heritage through sustainable tourism development, and it was conducted using a mixed methodology, combining quantitative and qualitative studies. As part of the research, a survey was made, and Öşkvank Monastery was evaluated in terms of sustainable tourism principles. The survey results showed that the participants did not appreciate Öşkvank Monastery regarding sustainable tourism principles. A SWOT analysis was performed through a focus group study to identify the internal (strengths, weaknesses) and external (opportunities, threats) conditions of the region in relation to sustainable tourism. Based on the SWOT analysis, a TOWS matrix was developed and strategies for sustainable tourism development were formulated. TOWS strategies were classified by the content analysis method, and an eight-step Cultural Heritage Management Framework (CHMF) was prepared.

Research on Macao Study Tour Policy and Cross-strait Cultural Construction on the Macao Local Government Cultural Industry—Taking the “Ten Thousand Persons Plan”

The development of Macao's study tour policy is closely related to the cultural industry. Its evolution has enriched cultural experience, promoted exchanges, and driven the coordinated development of the cultural tourism industry from "national education" to "national education + tourism". This study uses intergroup contact theory to thematically analyze 28 respondents' views on cross-strait relations and cross-strait culture. The results show that the study tour can promote exchanges between young people in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan Region; it can also directly meet the ideal conditions for intergroup communication mentioned by Allport, and have a positive impact on mainstream ideology and national identity. However, the government can create a cross-strait study tour circle. This circle can provide a better platform for strengthening indirect contacts between different regions. It makes up for the lack of direct contact conditions (spatial distance). This study fills the gap in the literature on enhancing cultural integration, identity construction, and cultural policy impacts among cross-strait youth through study tours, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the cultural relations between mainland China, the Macao SAR, and Taiwan region.

From Tradition to Innovation: The Role of Culture Tourism in Transforming Chinese Agriculture

After the merger of China’s Ministry of Culture and the National Tourism Administration into the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2018, there was a strong push to advance the strategy of culture–tourism integration, which has shown significant effects on the economy and society. Building on this success, the Chinese government proposed the strategy of agriculture–culture–tourism integration in 2023. However, its impact on the agricultural sector remains unclear. This study employs field theory to explain the impact of culture–tourism integration on the agricultural sector. Drawing from the relevant literature, we construct and statistically analyze the Culture–Tourism Coupling Coordination Degree (CTCCD). Utilizing provincial panel data from China from 2000 to 2022, we employ two-way fixed-effects panel regression to empirically estimate and analyze the effects of the CTCCD on the agricultural GDP, Total Factor Productivity (TFP), and various aspects of crop farming. Our findings reveal several key insights: (i) the CTCCD exhibits a significant negative impact on both agricultural GDP and TFP; (ii) the CTCCD negatively affects the proportion of crop farming within the agricultural sector, suggesting that culture–tourism integration results in weaker development of crop farming compared to forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries; (iii) the CTCCD demonstrates significant negative effects on the sown area, yield per unit area, and total production of food crops, while positively influencing the per capita income of agricultural workers. These empirical results highlight the complex relationship between culture–tourism integration and agricultural development. Our analysis provides quantitative evidence of the trade-offs involved in pursuing integrated development strategies, adding to the existing research on rural development. The findings indicate that promoting agriculture–culture–tourism integration should be balanced with efforts to accelerate agricultural technological progress.

Cultural Studies with Communities in South Africa: Implications for Participatory Development Communication and Social Change Research

This article theorizes the role of local and indigenous culture in its intersection with development initiatives. It argues that Communication for Development and Social Change (CDSC), through a cultural studies framework, strengthens the potentiality of democratization and participation within community-based development and social change settings. We advocate that applied cultural studies can facilitate agency (through voice and self-representation) in social interventions. This is a cultural studies approach that has been recontextualised from the Birmingham origin as read through Marxist development studies, first adapted and mobilized during the anti-apartheid struggle in developing cultural strategy, and more recently with efforts to indigenise research practices with research participants in the southern Kalahari. We draw on an example of the community-owned, state-funded, and privately operated !Xaus Lodge cultural tourism asset. We illustrate how CDSC strategies, influenced by applied cultural studies, can work with an agentic imperative to effect development and mutual understanding in a defined geographical area, where multiple stakeholder agendas, cultural backgrounds, and ontologies are to be negotiated.

Construction of Legal Order in Traditional Villages under the Background of Rural Revitalization Strategy--Taking Qianmei Village of Shantou City as an Example

Since the new era, the construction of rural rule of law has gradually received more attention and attention. The construction of rural rule of law order is an important link to promote the construction of rural rule of law, and it is an inherent requirement to promote the implementation of rural revitalization strategy from the track of rule of law. Under the background of rural revitalization strategy, traditional villages take cultural tourism development as a means of revitalization and development and introduce more subjects such as tourists into the field of rural development. The experience and deficiencies of rural governance and the construction of legal order are of more reference value. Taking Qianmei Village, Shantou City, Guangdong Province as an example, this study uses the research methods of questionnaire survey, interview survey, field observation and literature survey to explore the practical experience of traditional villages in promoting rural governance by industrial development and forming villagers' norms by village rules and people's conventions, and concludes that there are four problems in the construction of the rule of law in the process of unclear legislation, lack of confidence, lack of law popularization and insufficient guarantee mechanism. In the face of these problems, the author tries to improve the basic legal system and build the foundation of the legal order in rural areas. Improve the ability to practice the rule of law and establish the authority of the rule of law in rural areas; Improve grassroots legal services, based on the actual needs of rural areas; The overall idea of strengthening the publicity and education of the rule of law and innovating the publicity methods of the rule of law seeks to make the rule of law truly rooted in the rural land of Chinese society.

Study on the Innovative Development Path of Rural Characteristic Sports Events in Ganzi Prefecture under the Background of Culture and Tourism Integration

Under the background of cultural and tourism integration, the development of rural characteristic sports events in Ganzi Prefecture faces new opportunities and challenges. By analyzing the rich culture, natural resources and the current situation of characteristic sports events in Ganzi Prefecture, this paper discusses how to innovate the development of these events in order to realize the deep integration of cultural tourism and rural sports and promote the development of local economy and society. The study finds that Ganzi Prefecture has a broad space for innovation in terms of event branding, integration of events and tourism projects, technological empowerment and community participation. To this end, this paper proposes an innovative path based on the excavation of local cultural resources, branding, digital promotion and industry linkage development, specifically including event branding, exploration of the integration mode of culture and tourism, the application of scientific and technological means, and the improvement of the community participation mechanism.

Interactive effects of intangible cultural heritage and tourism development: a study based on the data panel PVAR model and coupled coordination model

AbstractExploring the coordination and analysis of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and tourism development is a key issue in advancing cultural heritage and conservation in Chinese society. This paper employs panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2013 to 2022, utilizing the coupled coordination degree model and the panel vector autoregression (PVAR) model. In terms of provinces and regions, the data investigates the development relationship between intangible cultural heritage and tourism. The results of the study are: 1. The degree of coupling coordination between the two has shown an increasing trend over the ten-year sample data period. In 2021 and 2022, COVID-19 will have a stronger negative impact on the coupling degree. 2. The eastern coastal provinces of China, as well as the municipal areas, have a higher level of coupling coordination. Inland provinces, such as those in central and western China, exhibit relatively lower levels of coordination. The PVAR model data reveals a positive correlation between the interactions generated by intangible cultural heritage. The development of intangible cultural heritage has a particular impact on tourism. Intangible cultural heritage, in turn, depends on its own development. We should strengthen the development of intangible cultural heritage in the future. The study's findings provide theoretical references for the coordinated development of intangible cultural heritage and tourism in China.

Wildlife Tourism and Climate Change: Perspectives on Maasai Mara National Reserve

The impact of climate change on nature-based tourism is gaining significance. This study evaluated the impacts of climate change and tourism stakeholders’ perspectives on the subject in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and World Heritage Site. Surveys and interviews were used to collect data. The main climate-related threats to tourism were heavy rain, floods, and extreme droughts. These events adversely impacted infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and accommodation facilities, and outdoor tourism activities, such as game viewing, cultural tours, birdwatching, and hot air ballooning. They also exacerbated human–wildlife conflicts. The key challenges identified in dealing with impacts were poor planning, non-prioritizing climate change as a threat, a lack of expertise, inadequate research, and a lack of internal early warning systems. The key recommendations included prioritization of climate change planning, development of internal early warning systems, and building resilience toward climate-related disasters. This study contributes to practice by making recommendations for management and other stakeholders. It also extends the discussions of climate change and tourism to wildlife tourism destinations in Africa.

Development of a metaverse model to enhance Renu Nakhon Phu-Thai cultural tourism in Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand

This research aimed to: 1) develop a metaverse model to enhance Renu Nakhon Phu-Thai cultural tourism in Nakhon Phanom Province 2) assess the suitability of the metaverse model to enhance Renu Nakhon Phu-Thai cultural tourism, and 3) study the satisfaction of using the metaverse model of Phu-Thai cultural tourism. This research adopted a qualitative study approach. The research method comprised three steps: 1) developing a model synthesis using document synthesis techniques, 2) assessing the suitability of the metaverse model with input from 9 experts, and 3) implementing the metaverse model for Renu Nakhon Phu-Thai. The target group for the study included 400 tourists in the Mueang Nakhon Phanom area who used the metaverse model of Renu Nakhon Phu-Thai between November 2022 and January 2023, selected through purposive sampling. Data collection tools included: 1) a form for synthesizing the data, 2) a suitability assessment form, and 3) a web application satisfaction questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the collected data involved calculating the mean and standard deviation. The results indicated that the development of the metaverse model to enhance Renu Nakhon Phu-Thai cultural tourism in Nakhon Phanom Province comprised three elements: 1) cultural architecture, 2) local wisdom identity, and 3) creative local community. The developed metaverse model of Renu Nakhon Phu-Thai was found to be highly suitable for use (mean = 4.17, standard deviation = 0.54). Moreover, satisfaction with the developed metaverse model was high (mean = 4.30, standard deviation = 0.76). Suggestions for improvement included adding a distance calculation section and a map of nearby places to aid tourists in deciding whether they could travel at their desired time using the metaverse model.

Innovative Strategies for Hosts in the Dissemination of China's Narrative System in the Age of Intelligent Media

In the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the "second integration" emphasized the contemporary significance of excellent traditional Chinese culture, highlighting the construction of an independent narrative system based on the integration of traditional Chinese culture and local cultural practices. In today’s society, China faces challenges in the dissemination of its narrative system, such as the external shaping of cultural symbols and a relatively singular form of cultural communication. The integration of culture and tourism has become a popular topic in recent years, with tourism programs serving as a window to showcase Chinese culture. Although cultural programs and tourism programs have both seen substantial development, creating a comprehensive program that effectively integrates both remains a task requiring continuous reflection from hosts. Particularly, current tourism programs face challenges like weak cultural relevance, lack of distinctive hosting styles, and hollow content. These issues present new challenges to hosts and offer great development potential for related programs. The key topic of this paper is how hosts can leverage their expertise to expand the program’s reach or enhance its content dissemination. Through research, the paper identifies innovative approaches for hosts in cultural tourism programs, summarized into three phases: tasks to be completed in the pre-production, production, and post-production stages. The analysis covers the core content, the host’s positioning, and communication methods. The proposed innovative paths provide new perspectives and ideas for more effectively disseminating Chinese cultural symbols abroad.

Culinary Tourism and its Role in Diversifying Punjab Tourism Offerings

Culinary tourism, a rapidly growing niche within the tourism industry, encompasses travel experiences focused on exploring local food and drink, connecting visitors with a region’s unique culinary traditions. This paper examines culinary tourism in Punjab, India, a region known for its rich flavors, traditional cooking techniques, and vibrant food culture. Punjab’s culinary offerings, especially in cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Patiala, have the potential to diversify and enhance its tourism appeal beyond religious and cultural tourism, attracting food enthusiasts and promoting cultural exchange. Through a descriptive analytical approach, this study explores how culinary tourism can serve as a driver for local economic development, supporting small businesses and local farmers while preserving Punjab’s cultural heritage. By highlighting local food festivals, traditional dishes, and farm-to-table experiences, the paper addresses how Punjab can leverage its culinary heritage to position itself as a premier destination for food tourism. Furthermore, this research emphasizes the role of culinary tourism in supporting sustainable economic development, underlining its potential to create jobs, preserve traditions, and diversify Punjab’s tourism market. The findings suggest that a robust culinary tourism strategy in Punjab can not only elevate the region's tourism profile but also contribute to a more resilient local economy. Keywords: Culinary Tourism, Cultural Heritage, Sustainable Economic Development, Food Tourism Punjab

Cartography for Cultural Tourism Attractions Around Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, Udon Thani, Thailand

Cartography for Cultural Tourism Attractions Around Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, Udon Thani, Thailand

Design and Development of Souvenir Jewelry using Hexi Pictograph

Background and Aim: Hexi rock paintings show what life was like for our ancestors in the early days. This paper looks at how Hexi rock paintings can inspire jewelry souvenirs, how rock paintings are used in jewelry, and where further research could be done. Materials and Methods: The researchers used a mixed methods approach to the study, examining the location, significance, and design applications of the petroglyphs, designing souvenirs using the art of jewelry and the content of the petroglyphs, conducting in-depth consultation on the content of the petroglyphs through a survey of the staff involved, and interviews with the experts, critiquing the products of the designs and incorporating the experts' views into the research process. Results: The result showed that the protective nature of petroglyphs makes fieldwork and the extraction of petroglyph content more challenging. However, during the design and development of products, we identified a market gap for Hexi petroglyphs. In light of market demand and consumer psychology, the study employs Hexi petroglyphs to produce jewelry souvenirs through the collation and extraction of their content, thereby promoting the protection of local culture, the development of the tourism industry, and the creative industry. This study examines the potential of Hexi rock paintings to be used as a source of inspiration for the creation of jewelry souvenirs. This study is closely related to the future development of Hexi rock paintings and contributes to the promotion of tourism around them and the development of local cultural tourism. Conclusion: This study examines the potential of Hexi rock paintings to be used as a source of inspiration for the creation of jewelry souvenirs. This study is closely related to the future development of Hexi rock paintings and contributes to the promotion of tourism around them and the development of local cultural tourism.

Research on the Innovative Design of Tourism Cultural and Creative Products Based on Intangible Cultural Heritage

Under the background of the integration of culture and tourism, elements of intangible cultural heritage have been widely used in the design of tourism cultural and creative products, which makes tourism cultural and creative products more characteristic of regional culture. This not only broadens the cultural connotation and promotes the diversified development of tourism cultural and creative products, but also promotes the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. This paper analyzes the practical significance of the fusion of traditional and modern innovation in the design of tourism cultural and creative products from the aspects of innovative attributes and the design application of intangible cultural heritage.

Festivals: an Opportunity for Sustainable Development of Tourism Regions

Objective: The purpose of this development is to present the opportunities provided by festivals as organized events for the sustainable development of tourism regions. Theoretical Framework: The article focuses on several key concepts. First, it examines the role of festivals as organized events in promoting tourism. Secondly, it is based on the sustainability principles, balancing environmental, economic and socio-cultural factors. Lastly, it considers event tourism as a significant driver for local development. Method: An empirical research which includes an analysis of published materials and documents that study organized events and festivals in particular as part of cultural and historical tourism was conducted. Results and Discussion: Festivals significantly contribute to the sustainable development of tourism regions by enhancing local cultural identity and attracting tourists. The successful organization of festivals can strengthen the image of a region, promoting long-term benefits for both the tourism industry and local communities. Research Implications: Festivals can serve as strategic tools for sustainable tourism development by fostering regional cultural identity and attracting tourists. Policymakers and tourism managers should prioritize festival planning and management as a means to enhance the economic, social and cultural sustainability of tourism regions. Originality/Value: The originality of the article lies in its focus on festivals as a unique catalyst for the sustainable development of tourism regions, highlighting their multifaceted impact on local economies, culture, and social cohesion. This study provides valuable insights into how well-managed festivals can enhance the long-term sustainability of tourism destinations, offering practical guidance for policymakers and event organizers.

Influence of Social Networks on the Choice of Cultural Tourism Destination. Case study of Novi Sad and Rijeka as European Capitals of Culture

Influence of Social Networks on the Choice of Cultural Tourism Destination. Case study of Novi Sad and Rijeka as European Capitals of Culture

Exploring tourist perceptions of calligraphic landscapes: Insights from social media text analysis

Calligraphic landscapes, as distinctive cultural symbols and landscapes with Chinese characteristics, are widely used in urban design, placemaking, and tourism promotion. In cultural heritage tourism, tourists’ perceptions of the symbolic meanings of landscapes significantly influence their travel experiences. This study primarily utilizes social media text analysis to explore the perceptual characteristics and symbolic meanings of calligraphic landscapes in different touristic contexts. Using Python tools, user-generated content was extracted from the Xiaohongshu app and analyzed with ROST CM6, VOSviewer, and NVivo 20 to conduct systematic quantitative and qualitative analyses, including content analysis, semantic network analysis, and co-occurrence clustering. The findings indicate that cultural exchanges on social media significantly enhance public perception of the symbolic meanings of touristic spaces. As online check-in behavior becomes increasingly popular, calligraphic landscapes have gained new esthetic-symbolic meanings among young tourists, becoming part of fashion culture and reflecting the digitalization of a sense of place. In addition, user-generated content reveals that tourists’ perceptions of calligraphic landscapes are intricately linked to place recognition, cultural symbolism, calligraphic appreciation, heritage value, and esthetic experiences. As a significant cultural symbol, calligraphic landscapes are frequently encountered during travel, with their symbolic meanings varying according to the surrounding environment, thereby influencing tourists’ preferences in diverse settings. Furthermore, this study proposes several innovative strategies for designing calligraphic landscapes. This research not only validates the feasibility of web text analysis for exploring the symbolic meanings of cultural landscapes but also enhances theoretical perspectives on how symbolic landscapes shape tourists’ psychological and behavioral responses.

Arts management and economic development: The role of cultural organizations in China’s regional growth

This study explores the role of arts management in regional economic development within major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Cultural organizations—such as museums, theaters, and galleries—contribute significantly to local economies through tourism, job creation, and the enhancement of cultural branding. Using a qualitative approach, 18 semi-structured interviews with arts managers and policymakers selected based on their influential roles in cultural organizations across these cities. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, which identified key themes including the economic impact of cultural organizations, the influence of government policies, challenges in arts management, and the role of cultural tourism in fostering regional growth. The findings reveal that while government policies play a pivotal role in supporting cultural organizations, providing crucial funding, tax incentives, and infrastructure development, concerns remain about the long-term sustainability of funding due to shifting political and economic priorities. Additionally, arts managers face challenges related to balancing artistic goals with financial viability, particularly as the sector becomes increasingly competitive and technology-dependent. Key challenges identified include securing stable funding sources, adapting to digital technologies, talent retention, and maintaining artistic integrity amid commercial pressures. The study highlights the need for diversified funding models such as public-private partnerships and alternative revenue streams and suggests further exploration into the role of smaller cultural organizations in rural regions to promote inclusive regional development. Practical recommendations include developing strategies to enhance financial sustainability, investing in digital capabilities, and formulating policies that provide long-term support for the cultural sector. Overall, the research contributes to a better understanding of how effective arts management can drive regional economic development and offers practical recommendations for strengthening the sustainability of China’s cultural sector.