Arkeolojik Alanlarda Ziyaretçi Deneyiminin Dijital Teknoloji ile Yeniden Tanımlanması

The profound impact of technological advancements and globalization has become evident across all spheres of life, including the tourism sector. The increasing personalization and interactivity of daily practices have prompted visitors, as consumers of the tourism industry, to seek more enriched and immersive experiences. Within this context, the present study aims to assess the influence of digital technologies on archaeological sites from the visitors’ perspective and to propose strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing visitor experience, engagement and satisfaction. Although existing literature predominantly examines the integration of digital technologies within art museums, exploring this dynamic within the context of archaeological sites introduces a relatively novel conceptual framework. The significance of this research lies in its potential to contribute to the enhancement of visitor experiences in contemporary museum settings while offering conceptual insights that may shape experiential opportunities in future museum practices. To this end, the study undertakes a conceptual evaluation of the impact of digital technologies on visitor experience at the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum and the Ephesus Experience Museum. This evaluation is grounded in a literature review focused on the notion of experience and is organized around four primary dimensions: education, aesthetics, escapism, and entertainment. Digital technologies employed in the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum and the Ephesus Experience Museum primarily emphasize audio-visual elements. While these technologies successfully foster a sense of escapism, their potential is constrained by the limited integration of Virtual Reality (VR) applications. In particular, the Ephesus Experience Museum, conceived as a purpose-built facility, demonstrates greater efficacy in delivering an immersive escape experience compared to the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum, which operates within the constraints of a restored historical building. Despite these strengths, there remains a notable need to enhance the aesthetic, entertainment, and educational dimensions of digital presentations and the surrounding museum environments.