Summer 2006
Tourism News

Partners in Tourism: Culture and Commerce is a coalition of cultural service organizations, the travel industry, and federal agencies that provides a forum for collaborative research, education, promotion and advocacy with the common goal of advancing the role of culture and heritage in the travel and tourism industry.

8th Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance Conference Set
November 8-11, 2006

Culture is the Spark is the theme of the 8th Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance Conference set for November 8-11 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Cultural Heritage Tourism News is published by

© 2005 Partners in Tourism: Culture and Commerce

Editor: Carolyn Brackett

Assistant Editors: Kimber Craine, Verna Romero & Amy Webb

GOT NEWS? Send program updates, new initiatives and case studies to cht@nthp.org

Colorado Launches State Heritage Tourism Program

In the spring of 2005, the Colorado Historical Society and the Colorado Tourism Office launched Colorado’s first state heritage tourism program.  The state capped the program’s first year with a $220,000 pilot project initiative, designed to support regional heritage tourism efforts in four selected areas.  The pilot project program followed several other state-sponsored developments, including new research on heritage travel and the issue of a statewide plan: “A Strategic Plan for Colorado Heritage Tourism Enhancement.” Support for the program’s launch was provided by a State Historical Fund grant from the Colorado Historical Society.  Anticipated funding from the Colorado Tourism Office, the Colorado Historical Society and the Federal Byways program is expected to advance a broad agenda in the program’s second year. To view the strategic plan, research on Colorado’s heritage traveler, or profiles of the four pilot projects, visit http://www.colorado.com/static.php?file=industry_partners.

"Connecting the Dots for Cultural Tourism" in Minnesota

A number of cultural heritage tourism partners in Minnesota will hold a one-day conference on October 9 to bring together the many organizations that make up the cultural heritage tourism industry in Minnesota. "How to" educational sessions, keynote speakers and networking sessions to connect attendees are planned. Partners presenting this event are: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Minnesota State Arts Board, Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Association of Museums, Bloomington CVB, Greater Minneapolis CVA, Saint Paul RiverCentre CVA, Visit Duluth and Explore Minnesota Tourism. 

Pennsylvania Unveils Civil War Heritage Trail

A group of community historians, travel industry representatives and state agencies in Pennsylvania are marketing the rich Civil War heritage found in central Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania Civil War Trails: Prelude to Gettysburg,” highlights the events that often go unnoticed because of the tremendous popularity and attention focused on the battle of Gettysburg.  Pennsylvania’s Civil War Trails puts into context the geography, broad strategy and personalities of the Civil War.  Highlighted stories present the journey of soldiers, women and children under siege, the lesser-told tale of African American contributions in the defense of the Commonwealth and the endurance of people as they went about their daily lives.

Colonial Williamsburg Launches “Revolutionary City” Experience

Colonial Williamsburg’s new, interactive experience, The Revolutionary City – From Subjects to Citizens, is connecting guests to the climate of the period leading up to and during the American Revolution. The innovative program has contributed importantly to increased visitation to the historic site thus far in 2006. “By involving guests in this significant time period in history, we’re hoping to reinvigorate their interest in our nation’s past, present and future,” said Rex Ellis, vice president of the Historic Area, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “Citizen participation was as important to the Colonial Americans’ fight for freedom as it is for our democratic society today.” Each day consists of a two hour interactive program, focused on select events that portray Colonial Americans’ crucial transition from subjects to citizens. Day one features the collapse of royal government, depicting pivotal events during 1774 to 1776. Day two spans July 1776 – September 1781, beginning with the Declaration of Independence and including the British Occupation of the city. “Many of the challenges Colonial Americans faced are similar to the challenges we face today -- families are torn by war, parents and children argue about what’s right and wrong and political debates are a daily occurrence,” said Ellis. “By connecting visitors to the Colonial Americans’ personal struggles for freedom, we hope guests will reflect on the liberties we’ve been granted and develop newfound respect for the benefits of citizenship, as well as the responsibility to participate in the democratic process.”