Perceived authenticity and museum visitors' behavior: a case of South Tirol's museum of archeology in Bolzano

In this study we analyze perception of authenticity by visitors of South Tyrol's museum of archeology, best known as Otzi museum, in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (Italy). With the help of factor analysis we individuate two factors related to authenticity and study the determinants of the perception of authenticity by the visitors. Individuated factors are then employed to explain visitors' behavior at the museum. In particular, we study how perception of authenticity is related to the time visitors spend at the museum. Next we investigate the influence of authenticity on shopping behavior of museum visitors. The relevant data were obtained from a survey undertaken in the months from June to August 2010 at site. The empirical findings provide important insights for the management of the Otzi museum.Authenticity, museum management, souvenirs, factor analysis, tobit regression.

A Framework for Recommending Multimedia Cultural Visiting Paths

In this work, we present a general framework for Cultural Heritage applications able to uniformly manage heterogeneous multimedia data coming from several web repositories and to provide context- Aware recommendation services in order to generate dynamic multimedia visiting paths useful for the users during the exploration of different kinds of cultural sites. A specific application of our system within the cultural heritage domain is proposed together with some experimental results

The determinants of length of stay in the Azores : a count model approach

This paper employs count data models to estimate the determinants of length of stay, as count data models naturally lend themselves to overcome the censoring and truncation data issues associated with the non-negative, integer nature of length of stay. This paper employs a rich micro data set gathered through questionnaires ministered to a representative sample of tourists departing from the Azores: the fastest growing touristic region in Portugal. It is found that sociodemographic profiles, such as nationality and Azorean ascendancy, and trip attributes, such as repeat visitation rates and type of flight, are important determinants of length of stay. In addition, it is found that destination image and attitudes regarding environmental initiatives, constructed from a factor analysis exercise, also influence length of stay. In particular, the results suggest that marketing strategies that promote the Azores for its nature, landscape, remoteness, weather and safety may increase length of stay, whereas cultural heritage has the opposite effect.N/

Tourism and Algarve underwater archaeological heritage valorisation: a case study

This paper aims to investigate the interrelation between sea, tourism and culture associated with underwater archaeological heritage. Its main objective is to determine the existence of creative actions and projects that valorise tourism related with underwater archaeological heritage in the Algarve. The assumption is that underwater heritage is a valuable resource to tourism economy of seaside territories. Regarding the Algarve, WTTC (2003) refers that “the Travel & Tourism industry directly contributes 45% of GDP and 37% of jobs”. However, as is also refereed in this document “forecasts for the next ten years (2013) are very modest”. This means that, unless Algarve Tourism (Turismo do Algarve) and the private sector succeed in changing direction and surpassing the baseline forecasts, the share of visitor exports in the scheme of total exports will fall. As MEID/TP (2011) and Governo de Portugal (2013) point out for the Algarve region, the Sun and Sea, as well as Golf, are considered to be the main strategic products. The core Sun and Sea product should have a multi-segmented offer and be able to widen the summer season. In this context, it is important to develop new tourism products related with sea, nautical and cultural tourism. The present paper is based on a documental research of tourism public policies and also on a set of interviews of entities connected with underwater archaeological heritage with the intention of determining their role in the valorisation of this type of heritage in the Algarve

Smart tourism: perspectives for Italy

Lo scopo del presente elaborato è quello di presentare il fenomeno dello Smart Tourism come naturale opportunità di crescita in Italia. In particolare, se ne individuano i tratti distintivi adducendo due differenti casi italiani di applicazione: TreSight e MyFirenz

Gastronomic events in the function of creating a brand of a tourist destination: The example of strudel festival in Dolovo

Gastronomic events in recent years represent a very significant segment for the development of tourism. There are numerous events traditionally taking place in Vojvodina. Each of these events is unique and represents a rich variety of customs, culture and traditions. The authentic gastronomic offer, which is promoted through these events, is an important segment for creating a brand of a particular place and tourist destination. The aim of this study is to investigate the recognizability of the Strudel festival in Dolovo, as well as the authenticity of this gastronomic event, in terms of creating a brand of the tourist destination. The research was carried out using the survey method, through a questionnaire, on a sample of 150 respondents. Based on the collected data, using statistical methods of binary logistic regression, chi-square and Fisher's test, the analysis was performed and the results were presented. The results of the research show that the Strudel festival in Dolovo and its brand - strudels - have a high level of recognizability among visitors. However, the Strudel festival in Dolovo should be promoted more intensively, as it is currently recognized locally, and has the potential to attract more tourists.Publishe

Towards smart planning conservation of heritage cities : digital technologies and heritage conservation planning

Consensus exists on the importance of local identity and diversity in the sustainability discourse, including community resilience. As result, cultural policies are essential to enable sustainability goals. In the construction industry, digital technologies are playing a significant role in flattening the richness and distinctiveness of local contexts and homogenizing languages and practices, under the pressure of the constant urge to reduce costs and the necessity to comply with a sometime overwhelming plethora of technical and legal requirements and standards. The ambition of this paper is to shed light to the interplay between digital technologies, planning practice and tangible heritage conservation in the city, by clarifying the dynamic among the three fields and their implications in the practice. In so doing, this paper aims at offering recommendations that can inform the smart heritage conservation planning practice worldwide, and can be used by experts working for heritage conservation authorities, local authorities, professional practices, charities and digital technologies companies