I found the chapter on heritage tourism very interesting. When I was younger one of my dream summer jobs was to be a tour guide and I think this is perhaps one of my favorite approaches to public history. I thought it was really interesting that the book discussed not only creating and interpreting a historical narrative for visitors but also for residents as well. In my own work on my graduate project I have found that people who work at the WCA have no idea of the amazing things the organization did when it was the YWCA. Many of the employees are just as excited to read their history as the public. I think when you live somewhere; you take its history for granted. What to others may seem fascinating may be common place for you. What for them is the corner were a great battle took place, is for you the corner where you meet you friends to go to coffee. History is all a matter of how you relate to. That is another reason why I am happy to see the newer- “quirkier”- types of tours that have begun cropping up in the last decade. Sure history is about the formal record of a place, but it is also about the informal or less perfect side of a place as well.
2 thoughts on “Heritage Tourism”
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I’m glad some one else found the chapter on Heritage Tourism interesting! You bring up a good point about when you live somewhere, you take its history for granted. It was not until I moved away from the Puget Sound (WA) that I became interested in its history. I also think we take for granted other things when we live in once place for too long, like geography, climate, diets…all of which can be connected to the location’s history.
I love heritage tourism too! I think that Boise has such potential for bringing in more of this type of tourism, and I hope we can all be a part of it!