Smart Heritage Cities: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Cultural Tourism and Urban Development

Document Type : Original Article

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Tourism Studies Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, University of Sadat City, Egypt

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with smart heritage cities as an emerging paradigm at the nexus of digital innovation and cultural sustainability. The research underscores the importance of exploring how smart heritage strategies can be leveraged to foster sustainable cultural urbanism in heritage-rich cities. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews to generate in-depth insights from experts and practitioners across diverse professional fields, including cultural heritage specialists, archaeologists, urban planners, university professors, tour guides, and tourism experts. In total, twenty-seven interviews were conducted, both online and on-site, ensuring a comprehensive representation of perspectives. The findings highlight significant opportunities, including the application of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to advance heritage conservation, enhance visitor engagement, and support sustainable tourism development. However, persistent challenges were identified, such as funding constraints, infrastructural limitations, and the inherent tension between technological innovation and the preservation of authenticity. The study provides valuable managerial and policy implications for heritage governance while also opening new avenues for research on digital transformation within heritage contexts. By addressing these challenges, heritage-rich cities can effectively harness smart heritage strategies to safeguard cultural assets, reinforce cultural identity, and promote sustainable urban development.

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