The importance of technology for young visitors at heritage sites

Abstract

This study seeks to describe the topic of visitor experience at heritage sites by investigating how different on-site factors are being perceived by the visitors. As a replication and extension of a similar study carried out earlier, the present paper aims at specializing on one visitor segment, the younger visitors that are also local residents in the area where the study will be carried out. The main objective of the paper is to examine whether technology can play an important factor and have a bigger impact on the visitor experience among the younger visitors. In addition, it is proposed that a negative correlation may exist between the technology interest and satisfaction, proposing that the technological aspect is less focused on than it should perhaps be at the site. A paper form survey was completed by high school students at the Iron Age farm in Stavanger, the findings showed that the presentation platforms concerning information technology were perceived as important as the oral presentation platform. A negative correlation was also found between the technology interest and general satisfaction, suggesting that the technological aspect was less present for the respondents and considering that technological devices are a part of their everyday lives, they also perceived it as one of the factors they missed the most. Further implications for future research and for management practices are suggested, highlighting the importance of heritage sites to innovate and create new ways of marketing their attractiveness for the younger visitors, by for instancing applying modern technology as a part of their exhibitions.