Cultural and Heritage Tourism
Contents
- Introduction - About Cultural and Heritage Tourism
- Information Resources on Cultural and Heritage Tourism
- Economic Impact of Cultural and Heritage Tourism
- Examples of Cultural and Heritage Tourism
- Related MRSC Pages
Introduction - About Cultural and Heritage Tourism
History and culture provide a key opportunity for tourism-related economic development promoters and planners. The educational experience from heritage tourism can be partnered with other tourist attractions. This page provides resources for local governments to use in developing cultural and heritage tourism and addresses the key issue of the economic impact of cultural and heritage tourism. It includes local examples of cultural events, tours, and communities that have capitalized on their historic heritage.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s (NTHP) definition of cultural heritage tourism is “traveling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes irreplaceable historic, cultural and natural resources." The NTHP identified five principles to guide the combining of heritage and tourism: collaborate; find the fit between a community or region and tourism; make sites and programs come alive; focus on authenticity and quality of experience; and preserve and protect resources. See NTHP Cultural Heritage 2011 Fact Sheet (
).
Information Resources on Cultural and Heritage Tourism
The following resources provide useful background and guidance on cultural and heritage tourism.
- Cultural Heritage Tourism, Heritage Tourism Program, National Trust for Historic Preservation - A great starting point for information on this topic. A resource for organizations and individuals who are developing, marketing or managing cultural heritage tourism attractions or programs
- Cultural Heritage Tourism Survival Toolkit - How Cultural Heritage Tourism Organizations Can Beat The Recession, National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Cultural Heritage TookKits - Links to toolkit sites
- Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance - A group of tourism marketing professionals who share the vision and challenge of increasing tourism to communities through the promotion of authentic and unique cultural and heritage offerings
- Cultural Tourism Resources, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies - State arts agency efforts in cultural tourism
- Excerpts from The Community Cultural Planning Handbook: A Guide for Community Leaders, by Craig Dreeszen, in National Endowment of the Arts' Lessons Learned: A Planning ToolSite
- Cultural Heritage Tourism Bookstore, National Trust for Historic Preservation - List of publications
- Northwest Heritage Resources - Nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve cultural heritage and to present, promote, preserve and document the diverse cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest.
Economic Impact of Cultural Tourism
One of the primary benefits of cultural and heritage tourism is the economic impact on a community. While this is difficult to measure, it can be an important element of a local economic development strategy.
- Challenges of Estimating and Using Economic Impacts for Cultural Tourism (), by Gail A. Vander Stoep, Proceedings of the 2004 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, GTR-NE-326 - Useful introduction to the topic
- Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation (
), Technical Report, Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, January 2007 - Study includes economic impacts of heritage tourism
- Studies on the Economic Impacts of Heritage Tourism, National Trust for Historic Preservation - Studies from other states
- Economic Impacts of Specific Projects - Art and Culture, MRSC
- Economic Impacts of Specific Projects - Tourism, MRSC
Examples of Cultural and Heritage Tourism
The following are a few examples of cultural and heritage tourism promotional materials and activities from communities around Washington State. Some of these are sponsored by chambers of commerce and other local organizations.
- Downtowns Developed Around Themes, MRSC - Emphasis on cultural heritage and historic character
Creating Cultural Events and Attractions
- Anacortes Arts Festival
- Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival
- Ellensburg Jazz in the Valley
- Tacoma Broadway Center (Theater District)
Building on Historic Heritage
- Bellingham Fairhaven Historic District, Bellingham Planning & Community Development
- Fairhaven Historic District, Fairhaven.com
- Friday Harbor - Historic Friday Harbor
- La Conner, Washington's Hidden Treasure, La Conner Chamber of Commerce
- National Maritime Heritage Area Study, Gig Harbor, Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation - Information about Washington State’s proposed National Maritime Heritage Area
- Port Townsend History, PTGuide.com
- Cultural Heritage, Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Snohomish
- Steilacoom History
Tours Featuring Cultural Heritage
- Destination Heritage, 4Culture - A guide to historic places around King County
- Lewis and Clark Trail - Washington - LewisAndClarkTrail.com
- Washington State’s Heritage Tours, Partners in Tourism, National Trust for Historic Preservation