Interest in and willingness to pay for mobile applications in museums

Abstract

Mobile applications (apps) are becoming more important for museums. In our research project SPIRIT, we develop a mobile location-based serious game, which enhances museum communications in an entertaining way. By integrating elements of interactive digital storytelling through augmented reality, e.g. interactions with virtual characters, the app converts history lessons into vibrant adventures. By using the app, mobile devices are transformed into “magical equipment”, which leads users to the spirit of the past in certain places on site. This paper examines selected economic issues of museum apps, focusing on the potential interest in and willingness to pay for these apps. We present selected findings from two empirical surveys, in which valid questionnaires of over 200 museums and over 1,600 museum visitors were analyzed.