Q. What is heritage tourism?
Heritage tourism is travel directed toward experiencing the heritage of a city, region, state or country. This travel enables the tourist to learn about, and be surrounded by, local customs, traditions, history and culture. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) protects, preserves and promotes the state's historic and cultural resources, providing tourists with opportunities to learn about Texas' rich heritage.
Q. What is the goal of heritage tourism?
The goal of heritage tourism is to heighten the awareness of the importance of historic and cultural resources to the travel experience. 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.
Q. What help is available from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to promote heritage tourism?
The THC heritage tourism staff evaluates products and provides technical assistance to organizations statewide that are attempting to enhance or develop historic sites. Heritage tourism program specialists assist county historical commissions, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce and other interested groups identify and promote historic corridors to increase tourist visitation and preserve historic sites. Heritage tourism program specialists review proposals and determine the agency's involvement based upon the current availability of staff and resources, and an assessment of the proposed project's viability.
Uniquely Texas: A Lone Star Look at Cultural and Heritage Tourism is a video that the THC, in partnership with the Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Association of Museums and the Texas Travel Industry Association, developed to highlight cultural and heritage tourism in Texas. It is intended to educate viewers about the value and viability of this fast-growing segment of the tourism industry and teach methods to create successful cultural and heritage tourism programs and sites. This video is available for purchase from the THC.
Q. What is the Texas Heritage Trails Program?
The Texas Heritage Trails Program is a regional heritage tourism initiative designed to promote tourism visitation to historical and cultural sites. A regional board hires a regional coordinator to facilitate the efforts of the region. The THC provides technical, educational and financial assistance to selected trail regions that help community leaders and volunteers promote and enhance their heritage tourism attractions. The Texas Forts Trail Region was chosen in 1998 as the pilot project. The Texas Independence Trail Region was the second region selected for the program in 1999. In 2000, the Texas Forest Trail Region was designated for participation in the program. Currently all ten heritage regions are active in the program.
Q. What are the goals of the Texas Heritage Trails Program?
The goals of the Texas Heritage Trails Program include:
- Increasing tourism at statewide cultural and historic sites
- Revitalizing local economies through regional marketing of heritage attractions
- Increasing awareness of the importance of historic preservation and its relationship to the tourism industry
- Fostering effective tourism leadership and organizational skills at the regional level
Q. How can my community and I get involved in heritage tourism?
- Call us for more information at 512/463-6092
- Email us