Heritage Tourism is travel directed toward experiencing the heritage of a city, region, state, or country. Heritage tourism enables the tourist to learn about, and be surrounded by, local customs, traditions, history, and culture.
Heritage Tourism in the United States
Heritage tourism is an important component of the nation’s tourism industry. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 81 percent of U.S. travelers are considered “cultural tourists” and 56 percent of the U.S. population indicated that it included at least one cultural, arts, historic, or heritage activity or event in 2017.
Heritage Tourism in Texas
The history that makes Texas unique is as diverse as its landscape. From the missions of South Texas and the abandoned sawmills in East Texas to the historic forts and expansive landscapes of West Texas, the state is filled with opportunities for tourists to peer into yesteryear. The University of Texas and Rutgers University conservatively estimate that 10.5 percent of travel to Texas is categorized as heritage tourism. These tourists are learning more about Texas’ heritage while making a valuable contribution to the state’s economy.
Examples of Heritage Tourism Sites| History Museums | Spanish Missions |
| Old Battlefields | Drive-In Theaters |
| Abandoned Forts | Train Depots |
Source: Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Texas, Center for Urban Policy Research, Rutgers and Center for Sustainable Development, The University of Texas, 2015
Texas Heritage Trails Program
The success of the Texas Heritage Trails Program depends on public-private partnerships, local community participation, and extensive volunteer commitment. To serve all of Texas, the program divides the state into 10 heritage regions.
The program is managed regionally by a volunteer board of directors from the tourism, preservation, and economic development fields. The board is responsible for organizational, community, and tourism development of the heritage region, as well as project fundraising. Through funding from the THC, a regional executive director is hired in each region to initially facilitate these efforts.
For additional information on how to become involved in your heritage region, please contact your regional executive director. Visit the Texas Heritage Trails page to determine what region you are in and how to contact your executive director.
Heritage Tourism Principles
The Heritage Tourism Program has adapted the following five principles for a successful and sustainable heritage tourism program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Follow these principles to avoid challenges that could arise when preservation and tourism become partners.
- Focus on authenticity and quality—The contributions previous generations have made to the history and culture of the community are what make it unique and add value and appeal for visitors. Ensure accuracy and quality when sharing these contributions with visitors.
- Make sites come alive with interpretation—A destination is a place with a story. Use creative methods in interpreting the stories, special cultural sites, traditions, events, and personalities that make your community or region distinctive. Be inclusive by sensitively telling the story of all groups that have made contributions to your heritage.
- Find the fit between community and tourism—Educate the community about heritage tourism and historic preservation. A community that values and protects its heritage will contribute to the successful development of a project with funds, volunteers, and political support.
- Preserve and protect resources—Plan for the preservation and protection of special places, sites, and traditions that attract visitors. Foster a good preservation ethic; follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws in planning and preserving historic sites.
- Collaborate for sustainability—Tourism demands the participation of numerous individuals and organizations. Create partnerships to broaden support and chances for success. Package sites and events in the community or region into a coherent visitor experience. Cross-promote with other sites to maximize exposure and dollars.
Heritage Tourism and Preservation
Heritage tourism embodies the goals of preservation and tourism. “Heritage tourism uses assets—historic, cultural, and natural resources—that already exist. Rather than creating and building attractions, destinations look to the past for a sustainable future. Indeed, these assets need preservation and often restoration or interpretation, but the foundation for creating a dynamic travel experience lives on in the stories and structures of the past.”
The relationship between tourism and preservation can create a cycle. A growing market for tourism stimulates the restoration of historic sites, which in turn produces a strong impact to local economies from increased visitation. Establishing partnerships between the preservation community and tourism industry at the local, state, and national levels will facilitate the development of heritage tourism programs that preserve, protect, and promote historic and cultural resources.
Tourism
As the largest industry in the world, tourism creates jobs, attracts new businesses, and raises property values. An increase in tourism can improve the quality of life and create pride in a community.
Preservation
Preservation protects historically significant sites for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Historic preservation is the good sense to keep something—an old building or neighborhood or a piece of landscape—because it is important to us as individuals.
Source: Hargrove, Cheryl M. 2002. Heritage Tourism. Cultural Resource Management. Issue 25-1.
Getting Started: How to Succeed in Heritage Tourism. 1993. National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States.
