Construction Mechanism of Tourism Attractiveness in Historical and Cultural Districts Based on Tourist Perception under Culture-Tourism Integration

Chunlu Lan; Binwei Zhang; Zhilin Zhang

doi:10.71222/sk8bry42

Authors

Chunlu Lan Universidade Politécnica de Macau Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China Author
Binwei Zhang Academy of Management Sciences, Universidade Politécnica de Macau Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China Author
Zhilin Zhang Academy of Management Sciences, Universidade Politécnica de Macau Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71222/sk8bry42

Keywords:

tourist perception, cultural tourism, tourism attractiveness, heritage destinations, urban regeneration, visitor experience

Abstract

With the increasing emphasis on cultural tourism, urban regeneration, and the protection of heritage resources, historical and cultural districts have become key platforms for integrating cultural heritage with tourism development. This study constructs a tourism attractiveness mechanism grounded in tourists’ perceptions within the context of culture–tourism integration. Using a mixed-methods design that combines in-depth interviews, field observations, and structured questionnaire surveys, the research identifies three core perception dimensions: cultural perception, environmental perception, and service perception. On this basis, it examines how the richness of cultural content, the degree of innovation in presentation, and the holistic, immersive nature of culture–tourism experiences jointly shape perceived attractiveness. A structural model is developed to clarify the dynamic relationships among these variables and to test the direct and indirect effects of perception dimensions on overall destination attractiveness. The empirical results indicate that enhancing visitor engagement through participatory, interactive, and immersive cultural experiences is crucial for sustaining the competitiveness, vitality, and long-term development of historical and cultural districts. The study enriches theoretical discussions on tourist perception, experiential value, and destination attractiveness under integrated development, and offers practical implications for planners and managers seeking to optimize spatial design, cultural programming, and service quality in historical and cultural districts.

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