On March 27, 2025, the Göcseji Village Museum hosted a dissemination event and professional workshop organized as part of the InnoGuide4CHT project. The goal of the event was to present the project’s achievements and foster professional dialogue on the digital opportunities in cultural heritage tourism.
“Preserving the Past with the Tools of the Future” – Keynote on Digitalization
The event was opened by Dr. Bálint Havasi, Director General of the Directorate of Zalaegerszeg Museums. In his keynote, he emphasized:
“Today’s museum visitor no longer wants to be just a passive recipient of culture, but an active participant — someone who creates and engages.”
He highlighted that digitalization is not merely a technical supplement but an integral part of the modern museum experience. Digital tools offer new ways to enhance exhibition interpretation, education, and research.
Project Overview: Digital Attractions and Professional Training
András Varju introduced the aims of the InnoGuide4CHT project, with a particular focus on developing open-air ethnographic collections. The project seeks to create innovative digital attractions that offer meaningful experiences for younger generations and visitors with special needs.
In addition to improving the visitor experience, the project includes a pilot training program for cultural tourism professionals. The training equips participants with the skills and confidence to integrate digital technologies into their institutions.
Research Findings
Rózsa Katalin Szikszai, professional associate at the Göcseji Village Museum, presented the results of visitor and institutional surveys conducted during the first project phase. Findings confirmed growing interest in digital content while emphasizing the continued importance of traditional experiences.
Research report:
Sustainable Tourism in the Digital Age – Research Report (HU)
Digital Tools in Tourism
Krisztián Attila Bakon from the University of Pannonia gave two presentations. The first focused on how new digital technologies and storytelling methods can meet changing visitor expectations in cultural tourism. He discussed the use of AR, VR, and mobile applications to provide immersive, personalized experiences.
In his second talk, he introduced the project’s pilot training program, designed to help heritage professionals adapt to technological and social changes. The course promotes digital competence and fosters innovation in presenting cultural heritage.
Roundtable Discussions and Workshops
In the afternoon, three key topics were discussed in breakout sessions:
- Developing Digital Competencies – Challenges and best practices for applying digital tools in museums and heritage sites.
- Creating Memorable Museum Experiences – How to make visits more interactive and emotionally engaging.
- AI in Cultural Heritage – Opportunities and risks of integrating AI technologies into museum practice.
The discussions were led by Krisztián Bakon, Fanni Novák, and András Varju.
Storytelling-Based Guided Tour
As the closing program of the day, participants took part in a special guided tour led by Kata Szikszai. She presented the foundations of a new narrative-based exhibition interpretation model developed during the project, aimed at bringing cultural heritage to life through digital storytelling.
Participants and Outcomes
The event welcomed over 30 professionals from 14 institutions across Zala and Vas Counties. It facilitated new professional connections, peer learning, and increased interest in the pilot training program. The event also laid the groundwork for future collaborations and joint innovation initiatives.
