Development of an Augmented Reality (AR) Application for Cultural Tourism in Nonthaburi Province: A Case Study of Five Cultural Sites

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) study, analyze, and design requirements for presenting cultural tourism sites in Nonthaburi Province through five case study locations; and 2) develop an augmented reality (AR) application to support cultural tourism in these areas. This study employed a research and development (R&D) approach based on the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The process began with analyzing user requirements from tourists and the general public, followed by problem analysis and content design. Data were collected through field surveys, including photographs and video recordings of cultural tourism sites, which were used to design presentation formats and develop three-dimensional (3D) models integrated into the application. The application was designed to present information using augmented reality (AR) by integrating multimedia elements, including images, text, video, and three-dimensional (3D) models, in order to create an interactive learning experience for users. The development tools included Unity 3D in conjunction with the EasyAR SDK, and the application was implemented on the Android platform using Android Studio to support multimedia and AR-based content presentation. The application was developed using Unity 3D in conjunction with the EasyAR SDK and implemented on the Android platform to support multimedia and AR-based content presentation.

The results indicated that data collected from 120 participants through random sampling, categorized into four age groups (below 20, 21–30, 31–40, and above 41 years), showed an overall high level of satisfaction (Mean = 4.25, S.D. = 0.49). Satisfaction was evaluated across three dimensions: content, design, and usability. The findings revealed that participants aged over 41 reported the highest overall satisfaction. In terms of individual dimensions, participants aged 21–30 showed the highest satisfaction in content, while those aged over 41 demonstrated the highest satisfaction across all dimensions. Participants under 20 reported the lowest satisfaction in design.

The findings demonstrated that the AR application effectively enhanced the presentation of cultural tourism sites, resulting in high user satisfaction and improved understanding of cultural information. Furthermore, the development of the application enhanced the attractiveness of tourism destinations and positively influenced tourists’ travel decision-making.