This study focuses on the role and mechanism of college students’ social practice in the process of technological innovation driving the integration of culture and tourism. Through diverse data sources and qualitative coding analysis strategies, it deeply explores the application level of technological innovation in cultural tourism practices, as well as the integration of culture and tourism and the educational outcomes. The study finds that technological innovation significantly promotes the activation and dissemination of cultural tourism resources, and social practice effectively realizes the tripartite integration of “technological innovation- cultural tourism-education”. A four-dimensional linkage mechanism model of “technology-resources-subjects-value” has been constructed, including the mechanisms of technology embedding, resource reconfiguration, subject linkage, and value realization. This study provides practical insights and suggestions for universities, industries, and governments in the development of cultural tourism integration while also pointing out the limitations and future prospects of the research.
Yang et al. (2026) studied this question.