Redefining Authenticity in Digital Heritage Tourism Experiences

Anna Vichnevetskaia; Yiwen Wang; Nicholas Webb; Yue Li

Redefining Authenticity in Digital Heritage Tourism Experiences

University of Liverpool

Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

This study explores the impact of extended reality (XR) technologies on cultural heritage tourism, focusing on their capacity to enhance authenticity and visitor engagement. The notion of authenticity remains a contentious issue in cultural tourism studies, spanning a broad spectrum of definitions as to what constitutes the “authentic.” The introduction of digital technologies into this landscape has further complicated and expanded our understanding of authenticity. This research addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining the complex interplay between XR technologies, evolving concepts of authenticity, and cultural tourism experiences.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Digital Heritage and Cultural Tourism
Subtitle of host publication	Memory Twins as Tools for Sustainable Engagement
Editors	Marinos Ionnides, João Martins, Lorenzo Cantoni
Publisher	Springer,Cham
Pages	75-88
Edition	1
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-032-22974-8
ISBN (Print)	978-3-032-22973-1, 978-3-032-22976-2
Publication status	Published - 27 May 2026

Keywords

Cultural Tourism
XR
AR
VR
Authenticity
Digital Heritage

Access to Document

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-22974-8_6

1 Conference article

Enhancing Authenticity in XR Heritage: Practitioner Insights and Preliminary Recommendations
Vichnevetskaia, A., Wang, Y., Webb, N. & Li, Y., Oct 2025, In: International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives. 48, M-9-2025, p. 1555-1562 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Open Access

2 Citations (Scopus)

1 Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar

The Evolving Concept of Authenticity in Heritage and Cultural Tourism
Vichnevetskaia, A. (Speaker), Li, Y. (Speaker), Wang, Y. (Speaker) & Webb, N. (Speaker)
4 Dec 2024
Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar

Cite this

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title = "Redefining Authenticity in Digital Heritage Tourism Experiences",

abstract = "This study explores the impact of extended reality (XR) technologies on cultural heritage tourism, focusing on their capacity to enhance authenticity and visitor engagement. The notion of authenticity remains a contentious issue in cultural tourism studies, spanning a broad spectrum of definitions as to what constitutes the “authentic.” The introduction of digital technologies into this landscape has further complicated and expanded our understanding of authenticity. This research addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining the complex interplay between XR technologies, evolving concepts of authenticity, and cultural tourism experiences.",

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author = "Anna Vichnevetskaia and Yiwen Wang and Nicholas Webb and Yue Li",

year = "2026",

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isbn = "978-3-032-22973-1",

pages = "75--88",

editor = "Marinos Ionnides and Jo{\~a}o Martins and Lorenzo Cantoni",

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Redefining Authenticity in Digital Heritage Tourism Experiences. / Vichnevetskaia, Anna ; Wang, Yiwen; Webb, Nicholas et al.
Digital Heritage and Cultural Tourism: Memory Twins as Tools for Sustainable Engagement. ed. / Marinos Ionnides; João Martins; Lorenzo Cantoni. 1. ed. Springer,Cham, 2026. p. 75-88.

Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

TY - CHAP

T1 - Redefining Authenticity in Digital Heritage Tourism Experiences

AU - Vichnevetskaia, Anna

AU - Wang, Yiwen

AU - Webb, Nicholas

AU - Li, Yue

PY - 2026/5/27

Y1 - 2026/5/27

N2 - This study explores the impact of extended reality (XR) technologies on cultural heritage tourism, focusing on their capacity to enhance authenticity and visitor engagement. The notion of authenticity remains a contentious issue in cultural tourism studies, spanning a broad spectrum of definitions as to what constitutes the “authentic.” The introduction of digital technologies into this landscape has further complicated and expanded our understanding of authenticity. This research addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining the complex interplay between XR technologies, evolving concepts of authenticity, and cultural tourism experiences.

AB - This study explores the impact of extended reality (XR) technologies on cultural heritage tourism, focusing on their capacity to enhance authenticity and visitor engagement. The notion of authenticity remains a contentious issue in cultural tourism studies, spanning a broad spectrum of definitions as to what constitutes the “authentic.” The introduction of digital technologies into this landscape has further complicated and expanded our understanding of authenticity. This research addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining the complex interplay between XR technologies, evolving concepts of authenticity, and cultural tourism experiences.

KW - Cultural Tourism

KW - XR

KW - AR

KW - VR

KW - Authenticity

KW - Digital Heritage

M3 - Chapter

SN - 978-3-032-22973-1

SN - 978-3-032-22976-2

SP - 75

EP - 88

BT - Digital Heritage and Cultural Tourism

A2 - Ionnides, Marinos

A2 - Martins, João

A2 - Cantoni, Lorenzo

PB - Springer,Cham

ER -

Redefining Authenticity in Digital Heritage Tourism Experiences

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Research output

Enhancing Authenticity in XR Heritage: Practitioner Insights and Preliminary Recommendations

Activities

The Evolving Concept of Authenticity in Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Cite this