Using digital technology to expand and intensify tourism experiences

This chapter provides insights into the current state of research on using digital technology to augment experiences in tourism. Core concepts for the design of human-computer interaction, such as usability, human-centered design, user experience, and design for well-being, as well as the theoretical foundations of technology-based experience design are introduced, such as psychological needs and positive emotions; and other theories of positive psychology are discussed. Alternative design frameworks focus more on already-existing positive experiences in specific contexts. Therefore, they are more empirical, for example, constructing experience categories or collecting positive practices. Three case studies are presented to explore the possibilities of design for positive technology-enabled experiences: a snack vending machine for waiting situations, ideas for technology-based experiences at a film festival, and planning software for hiking and cycling tours.