PROTECTING AND PROMOTING POLISH TECHNOLOGICAL HERITAGE WITH THE TOURIST TRAIL OF DIGITAL CULTURAL HERITAGE: CONCEPT, CRITERIA, AND GROWTH POTENTIAL

Purpose: Digital technology has significantly affected Poland's socioeconomic and cultural development.Regrettably, information about the early days of Polish software, computers, factories, and research centres is yet to be aggregated.The study aims to develop the concept of the Tourist Trail of Digital Cultural Heritage in Poland (the Trail) and refine its theoretical foundations.It focuses on expanding the list of places relevant to the history of the Polish computer and electronics industry and specifying inclusion criteria.Design/methodology/approach: The primary method, desk research, included reviewing the literature, reports, and online sources.The authors identified critical locations that could be included in the Trail.The study also investigates existing thematic routes in Poland to identify and employ the best practices.Findings: The desk research yielded several dozen places linked to the history of Polish technology.These are museums, former production sites, and heritage landmarks, like monuments, squares, and plaques.The authors also proposed potential trail signage and ways to promote the Trail.Integrating historical, educational, and technological domains can improve the awareness of Poland's contribution to preserving digital cultural heritage and promote thematic tourism.Research limitations/implications: This exploratory research requires verification in the field.The challenges include unstable museum premises and the lack of specific regulations on establishing and maintaining tourist trails.Practical implications: The Tourist Trail of Digital Cultural Heritage in Poland has the potential to improve public awareness of Poland's contribution to the history of the global computer and electronics industry.It can also animate technology heritage tourism.Increased tourist traffic can stimulate local economies.Originality/value: It is the first attempt to devise a concept of the Tourist Trail of Digital Cultural Heritage in Poland.The study offers new insights into the protection of technological heritage and suggests how it can be effectively incorporated into tourist and educational portfolios.