Heritage Interpretation: Interactive Approaches and Visitor Experience

This report examines the significance of heritage interpretation within the tourism sector, focusing on interactive approaches used to enhance visitor experiences at heritage sites like the Museum of London, Science Museum, and Tate Modern. It explores various methods, including personal and non-personal interpretation, evaluating their effectiveness and appropriateness. The report delves into the role of technology and non-technological approaches in attracting visitors and fostering engagement, while also identifying challenges related to heritage interpretation, such as lack of effective centralization, policy coherence, and cultural gaps. The report concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of heritage interpretation in creating positive visitor experiences and driving tourism success, highlighting the importance of effective communication and addressing potential challenges to maximize visitor satisfaction and engagement. This report is a contribution to Desklib, a platform providing AI-based study tools for students.

Heritage interpretation as part of the
tourism experience. Evaluate the different
interactive approaches through which
heritage was interp

Table of Contents.
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Role of heritage interpretation as a part of visitors experience...................................................1
Different methods of heritage interpretation...............................................................................2
Evaluate the interactive approaches at visited sites....................................................................2
Different types of attraction visited.............................................................................................3
Evaluate the appropriateness of interpretation tools...................................................................4
Identify the challenges with regard to heritage interpretation at any of the heritage attraction..4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6
Appendix..........................................................................................................................................7
Appendix B....................................................................................................................................11
Appendix C....................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Heritage plays an important role to attract wide range tourist, while heritage
interpretation refers to different methods in which data is communicated to traveler. Further, it is
the concept of message or statement of quality, beginning and some phenomena that is using
through personal as well as non- personal methods. In the same way, report main aim is to
describe the importance of heritage interpretation for some specific heritage sites such as
Museum of London, Science Museum and Tate Modern. Report will describe different methods
which are used by heritage interpretation and using examples, it will evaluate interactive
approaches at visited site and then identify some challenges which can be faced at the time of
heritage interpretation.
MAIN BODY
Role of heritage interpretation as a part of visitors experience
Heritage Interpretation is the basic key element that provides best experience to the
visitors. Such that as per the view of (Weber, 2018) heritage interpretation is an organized
formulation which is used by those individuals who are specialized in communicating. It also
refers to the ways in which interpreters convey the important thought about a particular spot to
group. Further, it also establishes a linkage between traveller and the things, which they are
discovered from heritage sites. It is also realized that a good interpretation is always provided
good and positive experience to the visitors and provokes visitor's curiosity and interest which
helps to make them more familiar with the nature and the place where they are visited.
The main purpose of interpretation is to better and amend a visitors' experience by
realizing the importance of spot which they are visit and also helps to connect those with visitor's
own personal lives. Heritage interpretation, also relates to sites and purpose to traveler own
cognition, happening and belief. Apart from this, heritage interpretation also reveals the
importance of site and objects which visitors can easily realize and appreciates (Role of Heritage
Interpretation, 2019). Overall, through heritage interpretation, peoples can easily enjoy and gain
satisfying experience as well. Moreover, an effective interpretation also enables the visitors to
make the association between the information given and with their prior perceptions.
It is quite necessary that heritage sites needs heritage interpretation because travelling
groups want to realize it or want to understand the history of the places which they are visited. It
1

is also analysed that for ordinary to branded heritage sites, who provides superior instructive
programs and work, have a great informative plan that also helps in long term tourism success. In
addition to this, it is also evaluated that interpretation is considered one of the most powerful
communication process which is used by most of the historic and heritage sites that has available
to communicate their own messages to visitors (Staiff, 2016).
Different methods of heritage interpretation
There are different methods and tools for a heritage interpretation such as:
Personal heritage Interpretation: It is the interpretation in which, an interpreter directly
contact with the visitors and through their effective communication, the interpreter will clearly
demonstrate the importance of visiting the particular place. For example, guiding in one of the
most effective personal heritage interpretation tool in which, interpreter himself get direct
contact with the tourist and aware them about the place which they are visited (Jackson, 2016).
Non- personal Heritage Interpretation: It includes museum displays, informational
signage, self guided tours and brochures etc. it is also analysed that non personal interpretive
features includes using advance technology in its place so that it will help to make
understandable to visitors about the significance of that place. This method is considered quite
expensive and that is why visitors generally did not use this tool. Apart from this, in this modern
and digital era, exhibition, path with heritage interpretive panel and audio guides are also
included in this interpretation. Now a days, most of the people uses Internet as a heritage
interpretation in which every small and large information is collected by the visitors.
Not only this, some other methods are also included such that through interview and
survey, many of the heritage guide were mainly asked to share their thoughts, point of view and
some challenges in a work that helps to identify the challenges which they face (Trinh and Ryan,
2016). Therefore, mainly interpretation is done to provide better experience to their visitors so
that they will come again and again, enjoy their tour in more effective way.
Evaluate the interactive approaches at visited sites
There are different approaches which helps to make the visitors experience better and
effective, in that case, technology and non technology both contributed well as a heritage
interpretation. Such that digital technology affect or change the way of people interaction and
communication with the world. In the same way, museum also adopted a wide range of new
media tools such as through exhibition, the interpreter can easily communicate the importance of
2

heritage place to the visitors (Ashworth, 2017). Moreover, the technology also help in bridging
the gap between heritage sites and audience. The technological heritage interpretation also
aligned with new models that are focus on social role of heritage sites, new styles of
communication, promotes the open institution, makes active participation of all visitors to accept
new cultural change. Moreover, these advance technology such as mobile application software
also helps to provide an extra contented to visitant and also helps to attract new visitors.
On the other side, it is also critically evaluated that non technological methods which
includes guides or personal heritage interpretation that also helps to attract wide range of new
visitors. For instance, some students visited Science of Museum in UK where a guide who have
an effective communication skills and knowledge assist them to provide enough knowledge that
further assist them to make their project more effective (Graham, Ashworth and Tunbridge,
2016). In this way, without using advance technology, there is a wide scope in which they offer
interactivity as a part of heritage interpretation. In addition to this, it is also analysed that both
technology and non- technology interactive approaches main aim is to attract wide range of
customers towards heritage site and this is also helps to encourage the customers to come again
in the particular place.
Different types of attraction visited
Museum of London: Museum Of London is situated in the north of St Paul's Cathedral
of Roman City wall and the edge of oldest of London, UK. This heritage site is mainly concern
with social history and also its inhabitant throughout the time. In 2010, the Museum was also
redeveloped and its transformation also includes different gallery, large street level window
along London Wall and also provides an illuminated showcase for the Lord Mayor's State
Coaches well. Currently, there are about more than 7000 objects which are displayed and now it
is consider one of the most attracting source of attraction. The Museum also has a Sackler Hall
which contain elliptical LED curtain in which most of the young film-maker is screened and
make their films (Wellington and Biveridge, 2015).
Science Museum: This Museum is founded in 1857, and now it is considered one of the
major tourist attraction point, such that it did not charge any fees from the students and tourist for
visiting. Science Museum holds a collection of more than 300000 items which includes some
famous items such as Stephenson's Rocket, Puffing Billy. First jet engine. Apart from this, it has
different floors in which fourth floor known as Glimpse of Medical History and fifth floor is
3

Science and Art of Medicine, which contain the medical instrument and practice from ancient
times. The museum is also contained a strong clinical medicine and now it is the member of
Museum of Health and Medicine.
Tate Modern: It is the modern art gallery which is situated in London. It holds the
collection of 1900 items of British art, international and contemporary art. Thus, it is considered
one of the largest museum in the terms of arts. Even there is no entrance fees for accessing the
collection displays and in 2018, the gallery is highly visited by the tourist. The hall consist of
different galleries, a huge collection of art, switch house, Turbine Hall etc.
Evaluate the appropriateness of interpretation tools
The heritage interpretation tools are mainly used to keep attracting large number of
visitors towards them and their main target market is to keep interacting with the tourist and also
encourage them to visit the places again and again. It is also analysed by using personal heritage
interpretation, such as guide, who requires an effective communication so that they can easily
deliver the exact message to the visitors (Zhu, 2017). Though it Is most preferable and effective
tool that is used by the interpreters to encourage the visitors as well. Apart from this, it has been
analysed that a good interpretation from personal heritage interpretation understand the
importance or need, that why a place is important and also enjoys the site because interpretation
uses non- formal approach that is essentially designed for group on particular time. In addition to
this, non- personal heritage interpretation also helps to gain deeper understanding of meaning
and relationships such that it shows how what they see may be relevant to them.
Not only this, it is also evaluated that using effective heritage interpretation programs and
events or services also increases the perception of benefits tourist which is received by going to a
particular sites. Not only this, it is also evaluated that this provides added quality to every
heritage tourist occurrence. Not only this, it is also analysed that heritage tourism is incomplete
without the heritage interpretation because it brings more visitors, more repeat visitors as well as
more income too.
Identify the challenges with regard to heritage interpretation at any of the heritage attraction.
With regard to heritage interpretation, there are some challenges faced in Science
Museum such that lack of effective centralization, policy coherence, regulation and inconsistent
skills sets and competence consider the challenges and as a result, the visitors did not enjoy the
4

visit in proper way. As it is also analysed that most of the students are visited to this particular
place for their research and study (Waterton and Watson, 2015). Therefore, at that time, due to
lack of effective interpretation, they face some challenges which needs to be solved. Though the
museum did not take any charge which is quite good and creates positive impact upon the
visitors but sometimes due to high gap between culture values is considered a challenge for the
visitors.
Apart from this, it has been analysed that lack of effective communication also consider
another challenge that affect the heritage interpretation in negative way. In addition to this, it is
also evaluated that due to some inequalities between the classes and different ethnic groups In a
community also consider another challenge in the context of heritage interpretation (Weber,
2018). beside this, that every nation have their own culture and responsibilities, and this leads to
creates many differences between them and it sometimes affects the visitors in negative way as
well.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above report, it has been concluded that the heritage interpretation plays
an effective role for the attracting the customers. In order to visit the particular place, there are
different tools which can be used by the interpreter such that non- personal and personal heritage
interpretation. Apart from this, it has been concluded that every heritage sites is unique and
different through their own collection and art. Further, report also shows that interpretation tools
are actually used in order to attract their target markets, it also concluded that lack of effective
communication is the challenges which a heritage interpretation is analysed.
5

References
Books and Journals
Ashworth, G. J., 2017. The construction of built heritage: a north European perspective on
policies, practices and outcomes. Routledge.
Graham, B., Ashworth, G. and Tunbridge, J., 2016. A geography of heritage: Power, culture and
economy. Routledge.
Jackson, A. T., 2016. Speaking for the enslaved: Heritage interpretation at antebellum
plantation sites. Routledge.
Staiff, R., 2016. Re-imagining heritage interpretation: Enchanting the past-future. Routledge.
Trinh, T. T. and Ryan, C., 2016. Heritage and cultural tourism: the role of the aesthetic when
visiting Mỹ Sơn and Cham Museum, Vietnam. Current Issues in Tourism.19(6). pp.564-
589.
Waterton, E. and Watson, S., 2015. Heritage as a focus of research: past, present and new
directions. In The Palgrave handbook of contemporary heritage research(pp. 1-17).
Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Weber, E. A., 2018. Heritage Interpretation as Tool in Cross-Cultural Communication:
Сhallenges and Solutions in the Work of Guides-Interpreters.
Wellington, H. N. A. and Biveridge, F., 2015. An Approach to Interpretation and Presentation of
Tangible Cultural Heritage: The Case of Christiansborg and Fort Metal. Current
Perspectives in the Archaeology of Ghana.6.
Zhu, Y., 2017. Authenticity and heritage conservation in China: Translation, interpretation,
practices. In Authenticity in Architectural Heritage Conservation (pp. 187-200). Springer,
Cham.
Online
Role of Heritage Interpretation. 2019. [Online]. Available through: <http://www.interpret-
europe.net/feet/home/heritage-interpretation/>.
6

Appendix A
7

8

9

Appendix B
10

11

12

13

Appendix C
14

15