Cultural Heritage Development
IS Economic Development!
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.
These travelers included historical or cultural activities on almost 217
million person-trips last year, up 13 percent from 192 million in 1996.
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).
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. Perhaps the biggest benefits of cultural heritage
tourism, though, are diversification of local economies and preservation
of a community’s unique character.
For More Information follow the links below…
Utilizing Heritage Resources For Economic
Development (2000)
The West Virginia Crafts Study: The Impact of Crafts on the State
Economy (2002)
Measuring the Economic Impact of Federal Historic Properties (2005)
The Historic/Cultural Travel Market Overview (2003)
New Data 2007
A Profitable Past: The Economic Impact of Heritage Preservation in
Arkansas
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