Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference Welcomes Worldwide Expert
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Cultural heritage tourism, travel that includes historic, cultural and natural attractions, is one of the largest growing segments of the travel industry, with studies showing that heritage travelers stay longer at their destination, spend more dollars there and tend to put money back into the communities and destinations they visit. Tomorrow, the Sustainable Tourism Laboratory, sponsored by Rhode Island's Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, welcomes nationally-recognized cultural heritage tourism expert, former heritage tourism director at the National Trust for Historic Preservation and one-time associate director for National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations, Cheryl Hargrove. The keynote speaker will talk about culture tourism and how it benefits the community. “She’s about the best there is in this field,” said Dr. Robert D. Billington, President of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. “She’s an opinion-maker.”
Program is Breaking Ground
The Sustainable Tourism Laboratory, hosted three times a year and sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, is a consulting and educational entity created to assist communities with shaping tourism development programs with internationally practiced tourism planning strategies. Billington said that bringing in people who make a difference at a worldwide level is a distinction that adds to the enriching experience of the labs, and ultimately is financially beneficial for attendees, which targets historical sites, museums, city planners and hospitality professionals throughout Southern New England. “In today’s market, people are moving away from generic experiences and looking for more authentic experiences at a destination,” said Billington.
The Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference is on Wednesday, October 27, 8am-12pm, at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket. Tickets are $45 per person (includes lunch). Pre-register by calling the Sustainable Tourism Laboratory at 724-2200, or online at www.sustainabletourismlab.com
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Photo of Slater Mill Museum site along the Blackstone River by Chandler, courtesy of Slater Mill Museum
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