RESEARCH

Tourism is big business. In 2005, travel and tourism contributed $650 billion to the U.S. economy. Travel and tourism is the third largest retail industry in the U.S. behind automotive dealers and food stores. Travel and tourism directly employs more than 8 million people and creates a payroll income of $171.4 billion and tax revenues of $104.9 billion for federal, state and local governments. (Source: Travel and Tourism Works for America, September 2006; Travel Industry Association).

In addition to creating new jobs, new business and higher property values, well-managed tourism improves the quality of life and builds community pride. According to the 2003 The Historic/Cultural Traveler study by the Travel Industry Association and Smithsonian Magazine, 81% (118 million) U.S. adults who traveled in 2002 were considered cultural heritage travelers.  Visitors to historic sites and cultural attractions stay longer and spend more money than other kinds of tourists. Cultural and heritage visitors spend, on average, $623 per trip compared to $457 for all U.S. travelers excluding the cost of transportation. (Source: 2003 The Historic/Cultural Traveler, TIA). Perhaps the biggest benefits of cultural heritage tourism, though, are diversification of local economies and preservation of a community’s unique character.

This research section includes information about a number of cultural heritage tourism research projects in different parts of the U.S.  Click on the links in the left-hand margin to find out more about the research that others have done to demonstrate the economic impact of cultural heritage tourism in their area, or research to find out more about cultural heritage travelers.

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