Designing Accessible Experiences for Heritage Visitors Through Virtual Reality

Authors

  • Alessandra Marasco National Research Council – Institute for Research on Innovation and Services for Development (CNR-IRISS)
  • Barbara Balbi National Research Council – Institute for Research on Innovation and Services for Development (CNR-IRISS); Ministry of Cultural Heritage

Keywords:

tourism experience design, accessible tourism, virtual reality, heritage tourism, User-Centred Design

Abstract

Virtual reality offers significant opportunities for inclusive tourism, especially at heritage destinations where full accessibility is often limited by site characteristics or conservation issues. This study applies a user-centric methodology for the design of accessible heritage tourism experiences through virtual reality, with a focus on visitors with mobility impairments. It addresses the early-stage design research aimed to understand the needs and expected core elements of digital accessible experiences from visitors’ perspective. Through a multimethod explorative research, personas and scenarios are developed to inform the subsequent co-design of virtual reality solutions along the visitors’ journey. Methodological and practical implications are discussed.

Author Biographies

  • Alessandra Marasco, National Research Council – Institute for Research on Innovation and Services for Development (CNR-IRISS)

    Alessandra Marasco is a researcher at CNR-IRISS, where she coordinates the service innovation research area. Her interests include service experience innovation in tourism, VR and AR enhanced experiences in heritage tourism. She is the scientific coordinator of the project funding this study.

  • Barbara Balbi, National Research Council – Institute for Research on Innovation and Services for Development (CNR-IRISS); Ministry of Cultural Heritage

    Barbara Balbi is a conservation officer at Ministry of Cultural Heritage and a research collaborator at CNR-IRISS. Barbara’s research interests focus on User Experience and Interaction Design for digital cultural heritage.

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Published

2019-12-12

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2019)

Section

Articles

License

e-Review of Tourism Research (eRTR) is an international electronic bulletin for tourism research (ISSN:1941-5842). It comprises current tourism research articles, commentaries and reviews by industry professionals. The materials are provided for the personal noncommercial use of registered users of the eRTR, free to individuals and institutions. Copies of articles may be distributed for research or educational purpose, free of charge and without permission. However, commercial use of the eRTR or the articles contained herein is expressly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher.

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How to Cite

“Designing Accessible Experiences for Heritage Visitors Through Virtual Reality” (2019) e-Review of Tourism Research, 17(3). Available at: https://ertr-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/ertr/article/view/526 (Accessed: 4 October 2024).

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