BOOKSTORE

There are a number of publications which can help you as you develop, market and manage cultural heritage tourism in your community or region. Some of these publications are listed below along with links to other websites where you can order these publications online. If you know of other publications that should be listed in this section, please contact us at cht@nthp.org.

The following publications are available through the:

American Association of Museums

Mastering Civic Engagement: A Challenge to Museums
This call to action from the Museums & Community Initiative challenges museums to pursue their potential as active players in community life. Essays and reflections by museum professionals and community practitioners offer food for thought on the complex process of changing the terms of engagement between communities and museums. ($30)

Museums & Community Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to assist museums in planning successful museum-community dialogues. It includes helpful hints, logistical tips, and sample documents for organizing a structured conversation among people involved in the business of building community. ($22)

Americans for the Arts

Cultural Districts Handbook: The Arts as a Strategy for Revitalizing Our Cities
By Hilary Anne Frost-Kumpf. This handbook reveals how cultural districts are established, the processes and players that can help define their shape and strategy, and how cultural districts can best reflect the unique strengths of cities and well as support local artistic and redevelopment goals. ($23)

Preservation Books from the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Share Your Heritage: Cultural Heritage Tourism Success Stories
An 80-page four-color publication featuring cultural heritage tourism success stories from across the country. Stories were selected by a national committee including representatives from historic preservation, museums, the arts and the humanities, plus Stories Across America: Opportunities in Rural Tourism: a companion 44-page publication of rural tourism success stories. ($25/pair) See our online stories

Great Tours!: Thematic Tours and Guide Training for Historic Sites
Creating tours that are interesting and educational for visitors (and guides!) is a challenge every historic site faces. Great Tours! helps you focus clearly on the material culture and significance of your site and then shows you how to use that focus to train and energize your guides. You will be able to move your tours to a fresh new level that is engaging and educational for visitors of all ages and abilities. ($29.95)

Touring Historic Places
a 16-page guide for group tour operators and managers of historic sites to develop, market, and host group heritage tours. ($10)

Interpreting Historic House Museums
The respected museum professionals who contributed to this book consider the history of house museums and the need to look at familiar issues from new perspectives and using new methods. Its discussion of contemporary issues and successful programs, its practical guidelines and information, up-to-date references, and lively illustrations will make it useful and relevant for both students and practicing professionals. ($30.95)

Public Relations Strategies for Historic Sites and Communities: Offering a Media Tour (PDF)   ($6)
How to organize a media tour of historic sites and measure its success.

Welcoming Visitors to Your Community: Training Tour Guides and Other Hospitality Ambassadors
A guide to help communities, sites, and other organizations train tour guides, docents and other hospitality workers to welcome visitors to historic attractions. ($6)

Forum Journal - Fall 2003

     Is it real? Exploring Authenticity at Historic Sites ($6)

Forum Journal – Spring 2006

              Viewpoints ($8)

Forum Journal – Fall 2007

              Heritage Corridors: Pathways to History ($8)

 

Forum Journal – Spring 2008

              America’s Historic Sites at a Crossroads ($8)

 

Getting Started in Heritage Areas

A look at the heritage area movement around the country with step-by-step advice for regions that want to launch their own heritage area.($8)

 

Historic Home Tours: Showcasing Your Community’s Heritage

A step-by-step guide to conducting a successful homes tour to increase visibility and raise funds. ($8)

 

Oregon Arts Commission Cultural Tourism Publication

Exploring Authentic Oregon: The Impact and Importance of Cultural Tourism

A 20-page publication exploring the power of cultural tourism partnerships in Oregon.  The publication includes a number of cultural tourism case studies including Ashland, Grants Pass, Portland, Lincoln City and Astoria.

U.S. Travel Association (formerly Travel Industry Association of America (TIA)

The Historic/Cultural Traveler 2003 Edition
This new study from TIA and Smithsonian Magazine underscores the popularity and importance of cultural, arts, historic, and heritage activities to U.S. travelers. This report provides a detailed profile of U.S. trips that include cultural/historic activities and examines the trip planning habits and attitudes of travelers that participate in such activities. Includes analyses of several segments of the historic/cultural travel market, such as census region of destination, mode of transportation, lodging type, household income groups, and generation groups. Information in this report is captured in two consumer studies conducted by the TIA, TravelScope and the Historic/Cultural Traveler Survey. ($135 TIA members/$225 nonmembers)

Travel and Tourism Works for American 2008 - $35.00

The 16th annual edition of Travel and Tourism Works for America highlights the value, scope and interconnectedness of the nation's $740 billion travel industry.  This popular 20-page report provides an overview of travel and tourism’s impact on the American economy, top-line statistics, enhanced charts, and travel sector information and projections. Whether measured through jobs, tax revenues, expenditures, visitor arrivals, world perception or quality of life, travel and tourism is one of America's greatest assets and largest exports. Practically every major industry sector is represented in the 2008 report.  Released February 2008.

 

Geotourism: The New Trend in Travel, 2003 Edition
Geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of the place being visited, including its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well being of its residents—it describes completely all aspects of sustainability in travel. Geotourism: The New Trend in Travel, sponsored by National Geographic Traveler, presents the results of a large consumer study on travelers' environmental and cultural attitudes and behaviors. The report defines "geotourists" as those who are quite conscious of the environment and are inclined to seek culture and unique experiences when they travel. They represent millions of travelers and are a very lucrative market for the travel industry. The report also explores consumer awareness of travel companies' various environmental and cultural practices, and shows that millions of travelers are poised to support geotourism practices with their travel dollars. ($135 TIA members/$225 nonmembers)

Domestic Travel Market Report, 2007
This annual report will give you an overview of the size and composition of the 2 billion person-trips taken domestically by U.S. residents in 2006. It includes trip characteristics and traveler demographics for overall U.S. domestic travel and for several key market segments over the past ten years. Travel segments profiled include: business & leisure; air & auto; travel parties; eco-travel; and trips that include shopping, theme/amusement parks, or beach/waterfront activities. Also profiled are four income groups and three age groups.

Other Publications

African American History & Culture in Museums:

Strategic Crossroads and New Opportunities

This publication is available from the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS). The reports results from a day-long forum where 30 invitees - leaders in the African American museum community and the museum community at large - explored the evolving role of African American museums, their contributions, and their challenges.  Read more about the IMLS and learn how to obtain a free copy of the report.

Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Cities
Americans are migrating to communities near national parks, national wildlife refuges, and other natural areas in search of a better quality of life. As a result, communities surrounding these areas, known as gateway communities, are experiencing change at unprecedented rates. This book describes opportunities for preserving the character and integrity of gateway communities and the natural systems that surround them without sacrificing local economic well-being. ($23.50)

 

Return to Resources