Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis on Consumer Preferences for Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Cultural heritage is vital for sustainable development of society, but systematic analysis of the identification of its economic value based on consumer preferences remains underexplored. This study identifies consumer preferences and willingness to pay for the various types of cultural heritage. A systematic PRISMA review analysed the literature from 2003 to 2024, complemented with bibliographic analyses to identify trends in research. The findings show that consumers value information on the spot, such as walking tours, information centers, and audio guides, and they enjoy shopping in cultural heritage areas. However, the experience is significantly marred by traffic problems. Museum visitors showed a lower willingness to pay for food, beverages and audio guides than visitors to other sites. Specific preferences include temple visitors who prefer tea with monks and repeat visitors who appreciate Seon’s meditation programs. These findings inform policies for the protection of cultural heritage, especially museums and temples, and highlight areas for further research.