Can Smart Technologies Enhance Heritage Tourism?: The Case of El Montazah Gardens-Alexandria-Egypt

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Tourism Studies Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Matrouh University.

2 Lecturer, Department of Tourism, High Institute of Tourism, Hotel Management and Restoration, Abukir

Abstract

In the era of digital transformation, smartness of tourist destinations became a necessity. The current study presents a number of innovative solutions and outcomes of managing heritage tourism of Alexandria sustainably. It investigated stakeholders' perceptions of the potentials of the digital transformation of El Montazah Gardens as one of the iconic heritage destinations of the old city. It adopted The City Model Canvas (CMC) as a planning tool for proposing a new model as an action plan for transforming El Montazah gardens into a smart heritage destination either for the botanic or the built heritage. The proposed model was called Destinatiob management Canvas (DMC) and it goes beyond smart applications on-site for representing the attractions to smart management of heritage tourism in a sustainable manner while respecting nature and culture. The conducted study requires an integrated vision towards local development and the inclusion of all stakeholders; presidency, Alexandria governorate, ministry of tourism and antiquities and business community and Alexandria University. The results indicated to the easiness and trust in the application of smart technology with a positive attitude of all stakeholders towards the application and its positive economic, social and environmental outcomes. The application of the new proposed model could be a tool guide for heritage managers and local authorities to implement the applications of the following smart technologies; virtual reality, augmented reality and Internet of Things (IOT) with low cost tools for a smart heritage tourist destination.

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