From industrial site to heritage experience: a Google Maps reviews analysis of visitor experience at the SEKA Paper Museum

Industrial heritage sites, after losing their production functions, transform into cultural and tourism assets, becoming key recreational areas. Within the framework of experience economy, this study analyzes visitor experiences following the transformation of an industrial heritage site into a museum. Using qualitative research methods, the SEKA Paper Museum, an industrial site with a rich historical background, was selected as the case study. Thematic analysis of visitor reviews on Google Maps revealed four themes: spatial transformation, industrial traces, labour and memory, and public space and social life. These themes reflect a multi-dimensional visitor experience spanning education, entertainment, aesthetics, and escapism. The study shows that converting industrial heritage sites into museums creates rich experiential environments extending well beyond their traditional educational function. By linking industrial heritage with the experience economy, this research contributes to heritage tourism and leisure studies literature, offering practical implications for museum management and interpretation.