From museum to morgue? Electronic guides in Roman Bath

Abstract

This article reports a participant observation study of visitor behaviour following the introduction of electronic guides to the Roman Baths Museum, Bath. Visitors became absorbed in their electronic guides, interacting less with their companions and less with the objects on display. They participated less than before in the optional human-guided tours. The electronic guides may succeed in communicating more information to more people, but the tourist experience becomes more private, less sociable and less friendly to children.