The "Digital Innovation of Cultural Heritage" project aimed to make Slovenia’s rich cultural heritage more attractive for tourism by using digital technologies. The project responded to the need for better understanding, digitization, and promotion of the country’s vast cultural assets. Slovenia, with over 29,000 registered units of immovable cultural heritage, including 8,470 declared as cultural monuments, wanted to emphasize culture as a significant aspect of tourism.

The project was part of the broader Strategy for Sustainable Growth of Slovenian Tourism from 2017 to 2021, highlighting the importance of cultural heritage in tourism development. Through this initiative, Slovenia successfully digitized more than 100 units of cultural heritage, involving over 1,000 local providers, organizations, and residents. A remarkable outcome was the creation of 30 new 5-star tourist experiences, each providing a distinctive and authentic visit.

Recognizing the potential of virtual experiences in tourism, the project aligned with the emerging trends of the virtual experience economy. Insights from extensive Tourism 4.0 research, which involved major universities and a hi-tech company, guided the Slovenian Ministry for Economic Development and Technology to lead the digital enhancement of tourist experiences, especially in the heritage and cultural tourism sector.

The initiative concentrated on the inherent potential of cultural heritage, evenly spread across the country, deeply rooted in local culture, and a source of captivating and educational stories. To implement the project, the Ministry issued a public tender, requiring each of the 35 leading tourist destinations to digitize at least three units of immovable cultural heritage and develop at least one Slovenian Unique Experience – a 5-star tourist product ensuring a local, authentic, unique, and sustainable experience.

The project's approach included workshops, training, technical guidelines, and standards for 3D digitization. Collaboration among stakeholders strengthened at various levels, from local to EU conferences, contributing to a widespread dissemination of results.

The project focused on Slovenia's immovable cultural heritage, documented in the Register of Slovene Cultural Heritage. The digitization effort aimed to protect, conserve, and immortalize historical and cultural assets, contributing to sustainable tourism development.

The project encountered challenges in bridging the gap between the heritage and tourism sectors and introducing 3D digitization at the destination level. Collaborative workshops, training, and technical support played a vital role in overcoming these challenges.

The project's success had a transformative impact, fostering collaboration between heritage and tourism experts and engaging local communities. By creating 5-star experiences rooted in local identity, the initiative contributed to raising awareness, promoting responsible tourism, and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

Sustainability measures of the project aligned with UN SDGs, ensuring environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits. Digitization helped mitigate threats to cultural heritage, generated revenue for institutions and local providers, and strengthened community bonds. The project's educational value extended to diverse stakeholders, and its positive impact on tourism and heritage preservation resonated internationally.

Looking ahead, the project's sustainability is reinforced by ongoing efforts, including the development of a national web portal for 3D models and continued involvement in EU projects. By sharing its innovative approach, Slovenia aspires to contribute to the broader European agenda of digitizing cultural heritage and fostering intercultural dialogue.