Digital Technologies and the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Rural Destination

Abstract

Rural tourism continues to evolve toward an experience economy. Along with rural tourism activities, travelers often enjoy intangible heritage as part of their cultural tourism experience. Digital technologies could aid in the development of online preservation, learning tool, and a set of guidelines based on intangible cultural heritage to assist small rural businesses in designing and promoting sustainable tourist products. The digital revolution has the potential to foster mutual learning among tour operators, tourists, and host communities, in addition to boosting access to cultural material and making it publicly available. However, there is a lack of digital technology in creating a favorable environment to promote the inheritance and enhancement of the value of intangible cultural heritage through rural tourism development. Moreover, the digital optimization of intangible cultural heritage and rural tourism development needs special attention. The chapter provides insights on digitalizing intangible cultural heritage and rural tourism for sustainable destination development.