Augmented reality system for tourism using image-based recognition

This study aimed to explore the design and production of mobile device-based materials for cultural heritage tourism and tourist learning outcomes. A mobile application was adopted to help volunteer tour guides-in-training and visitors better understand the connotations and knowledge associated with the culture of Dalongdong, Taipei, Taiwan. Participants in this study were divided into control and experimental groups to examine their learning outcomes in terms of their cultural and historical knowledge before and after embarking on the tour. A correlation analysis was conducted that guided tours assisted by digital technologies lead to more significant learning outcomes than narrative and interpretive tours delivered by guides alone. According to the experimental results, the experimental group, whose tour experience was facilitated by the mobile application developed in this study, exhibited significant differences and improvement in learning outcomes compared with the control group, whose tour was conducted solely through traditional oral narratives. This study’s practical contribution to the development of the cultural tourism industry includes the promotion of humanistic and artistic exchanges between urban and rural areas and the encouragement of young people to engage in cultural appreciation events and identify their interests in cultural and artistic activities.