Abstract
Technology designed to enhance visitor interpretation is gradually becoming more commonplace at Cultural Heritage (CH) sites. However Information Communication Technology (ICT) is not usually the CH professional’s area of expertise, yet they are required to make decisions, often without fully knowing visitors’ needs. This research gathers visitors’ evaluations of CH ICTs to identify what technology they used and what they need. The research took place at five CH attractions in the UK and incorporates the results of one hundred and sixty four interviews with visitors. The findings indicate that technology in operation at CH sites was underutilised. However respondents strongly supported advanced applications shown because of their unique capabilities in helping the visitor to understand the exhibit and therefore enriching their experience. The research concludes that in order to encourage ICT use overall, benefits and uses must be clearly communicated to the visitor.
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© 2006 Springer-Verlag Wien
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Owen, R., Buhalis, D., Pletinckx, D. (2006). Visitors’ Evaluations of Technology Used at Cultural Heritage Sites. In: Hitz, M., Sigala, M., Murphy, J. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2006. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-211-32710-X_52
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-211-32710-X_52
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-211-30987-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-211-32710-4