Exploring the Cultural Engagement Digital Model in the AlmeidAR Prototype: A Study of User Preferences

The preservation of cultural heritage, crucial for maintaining cultural identity, is increasingly threatened by natural degradation and socio-economic changes. Cultural tourism, supported by information and communication technologies, has become a key strategy for sustaining and promoting heritage sites. However, research on the most effective digital elements for amplifying tourist engagement remains limited. To address this gap, the present study explored the use of the Cultural Engagement Digital Model, which integrates participatory activities through game, narrative, and creativity elements, to enhance visitor engagement at cultural sites. The study focused on the design and evaluation of three low-fidelity prototypes in Almeida, a village located in the interior region of Guarda, Portugal, involving both visitors and interaction design experts to evaluate user preferences regarding the proposed activities. The findings indicate that activities aligned with participatory dimensions can effectively engage users. These results help solidify the Cultural Engagement Digital Model as a valid instrument for designing mobile applications aimed at promoting tourist engagement.