Digital Heritage Applications and its Impact on Cultural Tourism

Abstract

Cultural Heritage is inherently unlimited by time, geography, culture or format. It is culture specific, but potentially accessible to every person in the world. The Constitution of UNESCO provides that the organization will maintain, increase and diffuse knowledge, by assuring the conservation and protection of the world's inheritance of books, works of art and monuments of history and science, that its "Information for All" Program provides a platform for discussions and action on information policies and the safeguarding of recorded knowledge, and that its "Memory of the World" Program aims to ensure the preservation and universal accessibility of the world's documentary heritage. Digitalization contributes to the conservation and preservation of heritage and scientific resources; it can be used to encourage tourism; and it provides ways of improving access by citizen to their patrimony. Intangible tourism services cannot be physically displayed or inspected at the point of sale before purchasing, and so tourism product is dependent upon information in printed and audiovisual form. The unique tourism product will depend on extensive and targeted marketing, leading to the growth of new distribution channels, such as using 'virtual reality' technology. By World Tourist Organization one of the most important niche market is the market of cultural heritage tourism. ▪ Research Importance: Digitization contributes to the conservation of heritage; it can be used to encourage tourism. Intangible tourism services cannot be physically displayed at the point of sales before purchasing, so the tourism product is dependent upon information in printed and audiovisual form. ▪ Research Objectives: 1-Presenting different definitions for digital heritage preservation. 2-Providing information regarding the relation between sustainability and heritage preservation. 3-Reviewing some of the information & communication Technology (ICT) applications and its role in developing digital heritage conservation.