Research Article

Examining augmented reality experiences in museums

Volume: 7 Number: 2 January 3, 2026
Oğuz Pirinçcioğlu , Evrim Çeltek *

Examining augmented reality experiences in museums

Abstract

This study examines the role of augmented reality (AR) technologies in museum settings by analyzing 321 visitor reviews from Google and TripAdvisor related to an AR museum in Ankara, Turkiye. Through content analysis and word cloud techniques, the research identifies visitor perceptions, satisfaction levels, and key evaluative themes. The findings reveal predominantly positive sentiment (91%), especially toward AR implementation, time spent in the museum, and staff support. Negative remarks were primarily associated with technical constraints and environmental comfort, underscoring the need for infrastructure and design enhancements. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the value of user-generated content as a practical tool for assessing public feedback on AR-integrated museum environments, offering insights for museum managers and cultural technology developers in optimizing AR applications for interpretive and educational purposes.

Keywords

Augmented reality, museum technology, visitor feedback, content analysis, word cloud

Ethical Statement

Ethical Statement This study utilized secondary data obtained from publicly available sources and did not involve any human participants, personal data collection, or experimental procedures requiring ethical approval. Therefore, an ethics committee approval was not required for this research.

References

  1. Agostino, D., Brambilla, M., Pavanetto, S., & Riva, P. (2021). The contribution of online reviews for quality evaluation of cultural tourism offers: The experience of Italian museums. Sustainability, 13(23), pp. 13340.
  2. Alexander, V. D., Blank, G., & Hale, S. A. (2018). TripAdvisor reviews of London museums: A new approach to understanding visitors. Museum International, 70(1-2), pp. 154–165.
  3. Amali, L. N., Husain, W. S., Kaluku, M. R. A., & Suhada, S. (2022). Implementation of augmented reality as an information media for the collection of the Popa-Eyato Museum. Jambura Journal of Informatics, 4(1), pp. 1–12.
  4. ars.electronica.art. (2020). Mirages & miracles – Fantastical worlds, brought alive. Available at: https://ars.electronica.art/homedelivery/de/mirages-et-miracles/ (accessed 1 January 2025).
  5. Aziz, F. A., Husni, H., Nordin, N., Suhairy, M. S., Siambaton, M., & Ahmad, J. (2024). Augmented reality and short videos: transforming museum experiences for visitors. Asian Journal of Applied Communication, 13(2), pp. 87–92.
  6. Azuma, R., Baillot, Y., Behringer, R., Feiner, S., Julier, S., & MacIntyre, B. (2001). Recent advances in augmented reality. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 21(6), pp. 34–47. https://doi.org/10.1109/38.964967
  7. Bacca, J., Baldiris, S., Fabregat, R., Graf, S., & Kinshuk. (2014). Augmented reality trends in education: A systematic review of research and applications. Educational Technology & Society, 17(4), pp. 133–149.
  8. Baleiro, R. (2023). Understanding visitors’ experiences at Portuguese literary museums: An analysis of TripAdvisor reviews. European Journal of Tourism Research, 33, pp. 3305.
  9. Barnes, S. (2016). Understanding virtual reality in marketing: Nature, implications and potential (Implications and Potential). Unpublished Master’s Thesis.
  10. Beneyto, J., & Alcaniz, M. (2022). The impact of AR technology on museums’ visitor experience: An empirical study. Journal of Business Research, 144, pp. 31–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.09.067
APA
Pirinçcioğlu, O., & Çeltek, E. (2026). Examining augmented reality experiences in museums. Journal of Tourism Leisure and Hospitality, 7(2), 140-162. https://doi.org/10.48119/toleho.1733368
AMA
1.Pirinçcioğlu O, Çeltek E. Examining augmented reality experiences in museums. TOLEHO. 2026;7(2):140-162. doi:10.48119/toleho.1733368
Chicago
Pirinçcioğlu, Oğuz, and Evrim Çeltek. 2026. “Examining Augmented Reality Experiences in Museums”. Journal of Tourism Leisure and Hospitality 7 (2): 140-62. https://doi.org/10.48119/toleho.1733368.
EndNote
Pirinçcioğlu O, Çeltek E (January 1, 2026) Examining augmented reality experiences in museums. Journal of Tourism Leisure and Hospitality 7 2 140–162.
IEEE
[1]O. Pirinçcioğlu and E. Çeltek, “Examining augmented reality experiences in museums”, TOLEHO, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 140–162, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.48119/toleho.1733368.
ISNAD
Pirinçcioğlu, Oğuz - Çeltek, Evrim. “Examining Augmented Reality Experiences in Museums”. Journal of Tourism Leisure and Hospitality 7/2 (January 1, 2026): 140-162. https://doi.org/10.48119/toleho.1733368.
JAMA
1.Pirinçcioğlu O, Çeltek E. Examining augmented reality experiences in museums. TOLEHO. 2026;7:140–162.
MLA
Pirinçcioğlu, Oğuz, and Evrim Çeltek. “Examining Augmented Reality Experiences in Museums”. Journal of Tourism Leisure and Hospitality, vol. 7, no. 2, Jan. 2026, pp. 140-62, doi:10.48119/toleho.1733368.
Vancouver
1.Oğuz Pirinçcioğlu, Evrim Çeltek. Examining augmented reality experiences in museums. TOLEHO. 2026 Jan. 1;7(2):140-62. doi:10.48119/toleho.1733368