## 2 Theoretical Background
### Tips and Attributes for Designing Cloud-Based Solutions for CH  
Beyond traditional cloud-based platforms, more advanced digital solutions are emerging that integrate multiple cutting-edge technologies to enhance tourism experiences. These next-generation platforms leverage immersive tools, real-time data processing, and interactive features to create more engaging, informative, and sustainable experiences for visitors. A well-structured cloud system can enhance visitor experiences, facilitate real-time information access, and optimize resource management while ensuring scalability and security [42]. By analyzing significant applications and case studies available in the existing scientific literature, key insights can be gathered to guide the conceptualization and design of an integrated, cutting-edge cloud-based solution for the CH and tourism industries. A compelling example is presented in [43], where a cloud-based mobile application for cultural tourism in Malaysia was developed using Amazon Web Services (AWS). The application architecture follows a three-layer model: front-end, middleware, and back-end. The front-end, designed for Apple devices, offers an interactive map that displays cultural attractions, calculates distances, and provides detailed information. It is built using Xcode and integrates SQLite for offline data management, ensuring usability even in areas with limited connectivity. The middleware functions as a web service, converting relational database content into XML output to communicate with the mobile application. This layer, developed with PHP, processes HTTP requests efficiently, enabling seamless data exchange between the front-end and back-end. The back-end leverages AWS infrastructure, utilizing Amazon EC2 for hosting the web server, Amazon RDS for managing the MySQL database, and Amazon S3 for secure data storage. These cloud components ensure scalability, security, and performance optimization, allowing the application to handle fluctuating traffic demands while maintaining efficient resource allocation. This case study highlights the advantages of cloud technology in cultural platforms, demonstrating their ability to deliver real-time content, ensure data security, and support dynamic scalability. Similarly, the ECOPACAYA 4.0 platform [44], developed as part of the Tourism 4.0 initiative, was designed to enrich ecotourism in the Peruvian Amazon by integrating a combination of AR, geo-localization, cloud computing, and gamification. The platform aims to provide visitors with an interactive and educational journey through the jungle while promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices. One of the key strengths of ECOPACAYA 4.0 lies in real-time geo-localization capabilities, which allow users to receive contextualized information about their surroundings, access interactive AR content, and navigate through the dense rainforest with enhanced safety and guidance. The AR features enable users to visualize digital overlays, such as historical reconstructions, ecological insights, and wildlife identification, directly on their mobile devices. Additionally, gamification elements, such as challenges, rewards, and storytelling-driven exploration, increase visitor engagement and encourage participation in conservation efforts. The platform was rigorously tested and validated, receiving positive feedback from users, who appreciated its innovativeness, usability, and commitment to sustainability. By leveraging cloud computing, ECOPACAYA 4.0 ensures seamless data synchronization and scalability, making it a model for future tourism applications. In the realm of CH management, the SACHER project [45] has also been highly effective in supporting the restoration and maintenance of CH sites. The platform offers several key cloud services aimed at enhancing the management, preservation, and accessibility of CH data.