Agreed that the rim should be replaced. the cracks will only get worse and trueness stability will suffer.

How many spokes makes a touring rim is decided by whether you're touring on your bike. or not Really there is no threshold when one can or can't do one kind of riding or another kind. I've seen riders with skinny rims and 32 holes riding a camping load with 23mm tires and I've seen training racing on 32mm tires and their commuter road bike. So trying to define what's a touring spoke count is pretty futile. Now there is a range of suitability and when one tries the ends of it then has issues... Well I'll not be kind in my thoughts about the rider's choices.

BITD, with rims that were weaker then today's, at least 36 and often 40 or 48 spokes were considered best for loaded touring. Now 32 spokes are considered enough by many. My choice is 36 spokes because of the added stability and ready rim replacements being available. 36 spoke hubs are made by most all better manufactures still.

Rims which can fit 28-35mm tires are also my choice. So an inside width of 20+mm, outside of 24/26mm are also my choice.

Not yet defined is what is "touring" for the OP. Some will call riding their wanabe racing bike on a van supported multi day ride touring. Others will only call it touring when you're caring all the stuff, regardless of motelling it or camping.

So the answers as to what wheel or bike is good for touring has many answers. But, again, if one chooses a extra light weight bike/wheel/tire and they have mechanical or comfort, or handling problems I'll be the one trying to keep my mouth shut. Andy.