Criteria for the Design of Mobile Applications to Cultural Heritage Tourism: The Case of Riobamba

This research identifies key criteria for designing mobile applications for cultural heritage tourism, aiming to provide a planned, engaging, and functional solution that enhances the visitor’s experience and strengthens the competitiveness of destinations in the absence of technological tools for promotion and management. The city of Riobamba was selected as a case study due to its significant potential for this type of tourism. The proposed method is structured around three main dimensions: interpretative, inclusive, and immersive. The methodology combines a literature review, benchmarking, and user-centered design. The findings highlight the importance of integrating heritage storytelling, structuring information by levels based on user profiles, addressing the demand for practical data, and complementing digital resources with physical signage. The model is replicable if the tourism demand is adapted to the local supply of each destination.