Cultural Edutainment within the Context of Mixed Reality Heritage Tourism: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Within the heritage industry, Extended Reality (XR) is gaining popularity, and one particularly advanced option that stands out is mixed reality (MxR). This cutting-edge technology has the potential to revolutionize how people engage with and communicate cultural heritage, offering immersive experiences. The main objective of this study is to address the various potentials associated with implementing sophisticated mixed reality (MxR) technology to enhance user engagement in cultural heritage discovery. The problem statement explores how cutting-edge technology can be harnessed to effectively disseminate tangible and intangible cultural heritage elements in heritage urban landscape tourism sites.  This study employs a systematic review methodology utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) procedure. Extensive searches are conducted across prominent databases, including Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science (WoS). After a rigorous filtering process, the resulting dataset consists of 40 pertinent research articles analyzed using a synthesis methodology. The review explores three main themes: (1) MxR technology, (2) edutainment, and (3) cultural heritage. The study's conclusion provides a concise overview of the main findings and implications of incorporating MxR into heritage tourism. It emphasizes the potential of MxR technology in smart tourism environments to communicate cultural edutainment experiences effectively. The report concludes by recommending further research and development in this domain, acknowledging the significant influence of MxR on the future of historical tourism and cultural edutainment.