01719nas a2200145 4500000000100000008004100001100001500042700001300057700002300070700001200093245013300105856015400238490000800392520117300400 d1 aShanshi Li1 aShiNa Li1 aLawrence Nang Fong1 aYiqi Li00aWhen intangible cultural heritage meets modernization–Can Chinese opera with modernized elements attract young festival-goers? uhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85203187273&doi=10.1016%2fj.tourman.2024.105036&partnerID=40&md5=ced0111e18e7968885d7b4ce00bd18340 v1073 aAlthough festivals centered around intangible cultural heritage (ICH) remain pivotal attractions for tourism destinations, the enduring appeal of Chinese opera experiences a significant decline. This research investigates whether imbuing traditional Chinese opera with modernized elements would attract young festival-goers, applying cognitive appraisal theory. Study 1 utilizing a mixed method generated eight dimensions (i.e., action, costume, lighting, makeup, music, script, story, and venue) and 41 items for measuring modernized attributes of Chinese opera. Study 2, conducted during an immersive Chinese opera festival performing “The Drunken Concubine”, discovered sequential effects of multiple modernized attributes of Chinese opera on perceived novelty, enjoyment, satisfaction and loyalty. Intriguingly, this impact remains robust irrespective of attendees’ subjective knowledge. Study 3 supplements these findings with interpretative evidence derived from interviews and physiological data. The study advances our understanding of how young visitors evaluate modernization of ICH based on hybrid measures and extends the literature on ICH festivals.