Short answer
When designing immersive experiences for cultural heritage in tourism, prioritize authentic representation and user engagement by integrating user-centred design with participatory methods that respect cultural nuances and ensure long-term viability.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Sustainability (2025)
- Method
- Narrative Review
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Immersive technologies like VR and AR offer powerful new ways to present intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in tourism, but designers must carefully balance technological innovation with the preservation of cultural authenticity and user engagement. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sustainability. Using Narrative review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing immersive experiences for cultural heritage in tourism, prioritize authentic representation and user engagement by integrating user-centred design with participatory methods that respect cultural nuances and ensure long-term viability.
Immersive Technologies Can Enhance Cultural Heritage Experiences, But Authenticity Remains a Challenge
Immersive technologies like VR and AR offer powerful new ways to present intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in tourism, but designers must carefully balance technological innovation with the preservation of cultural authenticity and user engagement.
Sustainability · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Immersive technologies are increasingly used for presenting intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in tourism.
- 02Persistent tensions exist between technological innovation, cultural authenticity, and user engagement in these applications.
- 03Dominant methodological approaches include user-centred design, participatory frameworks, and mixed-method strategies.
- 04There are gaps in cultural adaptability and long-term sustainability of these immersive experiences.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing immersive experiences for cultural heritage in tourism, prioritize authentic representation and user engagement by integrating user-centred design with participatory methods that respect cultural nuances and ensure long-term viability.
How to apply
When designing a VR museum exhibit or AR heritage trail, conduct thorough user research with diverse cultural groups and involve heritage stakeholders throughout the design process to ensure authenticity and engagement.
Project actions
- 01When exploring cultural heritage, consider how technology can enhance understanding without distorting the original meaning.
- 02Think about the 'intangible' aspects of heritage – how can you convey emotions, stories, and traditions through design?
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive review of recent literature.
- +Focus on a specific, relevant application area (ICH in tourism).
- +Identifies key challenges and future directions.
Limitations
The review's findings are based on existing literature, so they may not capture all emerging trends or niche applications. The focus on post-2020 studies might overlook earlier, influential work.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the review's findings depends on the rigor of the initial search strategy and the consistency of the narrative synthesis. Validity is enhanced by focusing on empirical and technical studies published recently, but the subjective nature of narrative review can be a limitation.
Think critically
To what extent can immersive technologies truly capture the 'intangible' essence of cultural heritage, or do they inevitably simplify and commodify it for tourist consumption?
Design Principles
"Design immersive cultural heritage experiences that are technologically innovative yet deeply rooted in authenticity and user connection."
As designers increasingly leverage immersive technologies for cultural interpretation, understanding the inherent tensions between digital representation and authentic experience is crucial. This insight guides the development of experiences that are both engaging and respectful of the heritage they aim to showcase.
What This Means for Your Design
Using VR or AR to show old traditions is cool, but it's important to make sure it feels real and respectful to the culture, not just a flashy tech demo.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the importance of cultural authenticity and user engagement in your design process for heritage-related projects.
- 2.Cite this review when discussing the challenges and opportunities of using immersive technologies for cultural preservation and tourism.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research emphasizes the critical need to balance technological innovation with cultural authenticity and user engagement when designing immersive experiences for intangible cultural heritage in tourism. It highlights persistent tensions and calls for more culturally responsive and inclusive design practices, suggesting that designers must actively involve stakeholders and employ robust evaluation methods to ensure meaningful and respectful representation.
Source
Sustainability
Immersive HCI for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tourism Contexts: A Narrative Review of Design and Evaluation
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about immersive technologies can enhance cultural heritage experiences, but authenticity remains a challenge?
- When designing immersive experiences for cultural heritage in tourism, prioritize authentic representation and user engagement by integrating user-centred design with participatory methods that respect cultural nuances and ensure long-term viability. Evidence: Sustainability (2025).
- Why does "Immersive Technologies Can Enhance Cultural Heritage Experiences, But Authenticity Remains a Challenge" matter for design?
- As designers increasingly leverage immersive technologies for cultural interpretation, understanding the inherent tensions between digital representation and authentic experience is crucial. This insight guides the development of experiences that are both engaging and respectful of the heritage they aim to showcase.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing immersive experiences for cultural heritage in tourism, prioritize authentic representation and user engagement by integrating user-centred design with participatory methods that respect cultural nuances and ensure long-term viability.
- What were the main findings?
- Immersive technologies are increasingly used for presenting intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in tourism.. Persistent tensions exist between technological innovation, cultural authenticity, and user engagement in these applications.. Dominant methodological approaches include user-centred design, participatory frameworks, and mixed-method strategies.. There are gaps in cultural adaptability and long-term sustainability of these immersive experiences.
- What research method was used?
- Narrative Review.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a VR museum exhibit or AR heritage trail, conduct thorough user research with diverse cultural groups and involve heritage stakeholders throughout the design process to ensure authenticity and engagement.
- What are the limitations?
- The review focuses on studies published after 2020, potentially missing earlier foundational work. The narrative synthesis approach may introduce researcher bias.