AR Story Hike For Sustainable Tourism
Location Based AR
2024
Set against the backdrop of growing tourism on the Cycladic Islands, Guardians of Naxos is an augmented reality (AR) storytelling experience designed to promote sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.
As part of the international research initiative Media Innovation for Sustainable Tourism, the project aimed to support the local Naxian community by creating media experiences that foster awareness of the island’s cultural and natural heritage.
Developed in collaboration with Pantheon University, Cyprus University of Technology, and Hochschule Darmstadt (h_da), the AR experience blends physical exploration with immersive narrative.
The project invites tourists on a free story hike across Naxos, where they follow the spirits of the island’s ancestors and learn about local crafts, traditions, and historical events.
At its core, Guardians of Naxos aims to create an emotional and respectful connection between visitors and the island—turning tourism into a deeper cultural experience.
Role & Tasks
Served as AR Lead for the entire technical implementation.
Planned, managed, and guided the full AR development workflow.
Led and coordinated a team of 6+ international collaborators.
Developed the location-based AR storytelling experience using Unity.
Oversaw testing, deployment, and on-site integration of the app.
- 3D Scanning and Location tracking.
The Guardians of Naxos AR experience was born out of the growing concern over the impact of mass tourism on the Cycladic Islands. Over the last 15 years, rising visitor numbers have put pressure on local resources and threatened the cultural and ecological integrity of the region. To address this, the project Media Innovation for Sustainable Tourism was launched to develop media strategies that engage tourists meaningfully while preserving community values.
Our contribution to this initiative was an AR story hike—an immersive digital layer added to the island’s landscape. Visitors embark on a guided walking tour that starts at the coast and leads them through the old town to a former monastery. Along the way, they encounter AR scenes and storytelling moments anchored in local history, including a dramatized pirate attack that once affected the island. These moments are told through the voices of ancestral spirits, designed to represent the soul of the island and deepen the user’s connection to the place.
As AR Lead, I was responsible for the full technical realization of the experience. This included structuring the AR architecture, coordinating with designers and researchers, and leading the international development team through the creation of a fully location-based mobile AR app. The experience was built without intrusive markers and instead relied on spatial cues and storytelling triggers embedded in the environment—ensuring a respectful and seamless integration with the local setting.
The result was a prototype that demonstrated how technology, when used with care, can enhance rather than disrupt cultural exploration. Guardians of Naxos not only showcased a viable model for sustainable tourism but also created a platform for ongoing cultural storytelling that respects and celebrates the local community.