Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in Traditional Cultural Industries: Challenges and Prospects for Cultural Tourism in Peripheral Areas

Traditional cultural industries, rooted on both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, are becoming increasingly significant in the socioeconomic development of local communities, generating job opportunities and income, reinforcing cultural tourism, and fostering cultural identity, authenticity and uniqueness, and a sense of belonging. In recent decades, Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) are revolutionizing the ways people perceive and appreciate the importance of cultural heritage and are thus essential for the development of traditional cultural industries. ICT tools offer a novel perspective on the promotion of traditional cultural goods and services, thereby facilitating the expansion of cultural tourism. However, in peripheral remote areas traditional cultural industries often struggle with a deficiency in entrepreneurial skills and confront challenges in integrating technological innovations. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of ICTs in traditional cultural industries, and identify the types of ICT tools used in peripheral areas. Additionally, the study seeks to investigate the perceptions of local cultural stakeholders toward the use of ICTs as tools for enhancing cultural tourism. The research employs an exploratory methodology approach through an extensive review of relevant literature, complemented by a descriptive qualitative research survey based on semi-structured interviews conducted in traditional cultural industries located in communities with population less than 5.000 inhabitants over the Regional Unit of Rodopi, in Northern Greece. Research findings reveal significant insights into the rather limited use of certain types of ICTs by local traditional cultural industries, and highlight a general lack of knowledge about the adoption of innovative tools. Nonetheless, local cultural stakeholders acknowledge that ICTs consist a critical tool for the development of cultural tourism, and emphasize the need for training local cultural stakeholders in ICT tools and establishing an official management body to oversee the organization and coordination of the area’s cultural industries.