Visitor Management Strategies at Patan Museum: A Tourism Perspective

Abstract

Effective visitor management in the museum is indispensable for optimizing visitor experiences, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring museums remain accessible, educational, and sustainable for future generations. This research focuses on the Patan Museum, a prominent cultural heritage site in Nepal, and explores various aspects critical to visitor engagement, including attractions, accessibility, accommodations, interpretations, amenities, activities, and facilities. The study examines how these elements collectively contribute to enhancing the visitor experience while safeguarding the museum’s tangible and intangible heritage. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study utilizes in-depth interviews, observational analyses, and case studies to evaluate the effectiveness of current practices. The research also integrates theoretical frameworks, including The Experience Economy, Stakeholder Theory, and Destination Management Theory, to examine visitor perceptions, engagement strategies, and the museum’s role in creating meaningful and sustainable interactions. The study examines at key issues like managing tourist flow, optimizing capacity, and incorporating technology tools to improve the visitor experience. The dramatic changes that museums have experienced in recent years are definitely a result of the growth of tourism, but it is unclear whether the entire museum community has accepted or even understood these developments. In the modern era, tourism has grown significantly, and museums are now important tourism destinations that contribute to urban environments' cultural and economic recreation. Findings highlight gaps in accessibility infrastructure, interpretation tools, visitor-focused amenities, and opportunities to improve inclusivity and educational outreach.