Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/11
Outputs
The first of three major projects tested use of electronic survey equipment in shallow water sites to document historic shipwrecks. Results and the report have been used to train sports divers to do underwater cultural resource survey and provided the foundation for use of remote electronic equipment to survey submerged cultural resources in Grand Traverse Bay. To continue community-based training and underwater resources research, a partnership between Michigan State University and Northwest Michigan College faculty is being developed. The second project, titled Estimating Economic Impacts of Cultural Tourism in Michigan and completed in 2005, provided information to Michigan's museum community on the economic impacts of visitors, both local and tourists, to museums. Papers included those on estimating economic impacts of museum-based tourism and those identifying visitor experience preferences, assessing visitors' travel experiences, and understanding factors
influencing visitor travel destination decisions. Results helped museums understand their role of providing value-added tourist experiences and that, although the greatest visitor spending is on food, lodging, transportation and shopping, cultural attractions can be a motivation for selection of a specific destination, or can serve to extend a visit - and thus the spending - within a community. Results also help communities understand that factors attracting visitors to a destination may not be where they spend their money. Examples include enhancement of and public access to waterfronts, historic community character, and non-fee interpretive experiences such as self-guided walks, outdoor interpretive displays, and historic markers. Some visitors choose destinations based on community character, ambience and authentic stories, then spend on food, lodging, transportation and shopping. The third project, in Indian River, Michigan, focuses on community and economic development. The
approach, using an asset-based community development model, incorporates survey research (of residents, business owners, and tourists), community meetings, and a photography/ writing project with high school students. Ultimately the project will evaluate the process of community-based tourism development and management. Following a model of engaged scholarship, research results are being used to reflect community perceptions back to all residents for their consideration. Other outreach activities related to the overall MAES project include service on several maritime-focused committees. The Michigan Lighthouse Alliance works to preserve Michigan maritime heritage and create opportunities for nonformal education, tourism, and community development. Efforts with the MotorCities National Heritage Area focused on developing tourism experiences based on Michigan's automobile heritage. Through the Michigan Underwater Salvage and Preserve Committee and Michigan Underwater Preserves Council,
outreach efforts include research on maritime resources, training of avocational divers to document and research submerged cultural resources, nomination of a new underwater preserve, and maritime-based community development.
Impacts
Remote technology is now being used in Grand Traverse Bay as a way to survey submerged cultural resources and to engage citizens as avocational underwater site surveyors and researchers of local maritime history. Museums are better integrated with the state's tourism system and have formed partnerships, heritage routes and themed itineraries to take advantage of tourist activity and to become more integral parts of communities and their overall economic development plans. Asset-based community development procedures, using multiple sources of stakeholder input and involvement, are being used and assessed in one of Michigan's unincorporated villages. Community youth are being engaged in the process to recognize the value of their ideas and their role as future citizens and leaders of the community and Michigan.
Publications
- Meldrum, B.; Vander Stoep, G.A.; and Hollenhorst, S.J. 2006. Nicodemus National Historic Site Visitor Study: Summer 2005, VSP Report 173. Moscow, ID: Visitor Services Project, Social Science Program, National Park Service. 76 pp.
- Miyakuni, K. and Vander Stoep, G.A. 2006. Linking linkage concepts from diverse fields to build a community-based tourism planning framework: The case of Shuri, Japan.. Tourism Geographies, 8(3):286-309. Oxfordshire, UK: Taylor & Francis.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2006., Heritage Tourism: One Framework for Sustainable Development. In: Proceedings: International Workshop on Slopeland: Rural Community Planning and Development Workshop, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2006. Museum visitors perspectives on and preferred experiences for heritage tourism. In: Peden, J.G. and Schuster, R.M. (comps. and eds.), Proceedings of the 2005 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-341. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. Pp. 326-336.
|
Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Half the year was spent finalizing the umbrella project identified above. Half the year was spent writing a revised project, Asset-based Community Development: Linking Tourism, Interpretation and Heritage Assets with Economy, with a special focus on coastal, water-based and island communities. Final presentations and publications from Estimating Economic Impacts of Cultural Tourism in Michigan were completed, and moved beyond estimating economic impacts to identifying visitor experience preferences, assessing visitors' museum-based travel experiences, and understanding factors influencing decisions to visit heritage tourism destinations. New project goals are to evaluate community-based tourism development processes; evaluate community engagement in community planning and development; understand the role, impacts and effectiveness of interpretive communications in heritage tourism, resource management and community development; and understand the role, application and
effectiveness of community groups in developing and protecting maritime heritage resources. Specific studies for Indian River, Michigan focus on asset-based community development. A census survey of Tuscarora Township businesses has objectives to profile current township business and economic climate; identify reasons businesses have chosen Indian River as their location; identify factors to help businesses survive and thrive; identify factors to attract and grow new, appropriate businesses; and identify business owner actions that contribute to community quality of life. A year-round and seasonal resident study has objectives to describe reasons residents choose to live in Indian River; identify important community assets; identify resident priorities for community investment and development; identify actions, businesses, amenities, services to enhance quality of life; and identify what residents perceptions of strongest tourist attractions and assets they want to protect from
tourist impacts. Future studies include a tourist survey and an assessment of youth perceptions of their community. Research results will reflect community perceptions back to residents and be used to develop a plan for community and economic development. Other outreach activities related to the umbrella project included involvement with maritime committees. One, the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance, has as goals to preserve Michigan maritime heritage and create opportunities for nonformal education, tourism, and community development. Efforts through the Tourism and Interpretation task force of the MotorCities National Heritage Area focus on developing tourism experiences based on Michigan's automobile heritage. Outreach activities with the Michigan Underwater Salvage and Preserve Committee and the Michigan Underwater Preserves Council will inform future research on maritime resources. Work with Traverse City community partners trained nine avocational divers and historians to engage in
research on submerged cultural resources, supported nomination of a Lake Michigan site as a new underwater preserve, and provided consultation for using the preserve as a community development anchor.
Impacts
Most of 2006 was dedicated to finishing publications related to previous research and beginning new research projects. Thus, direct impacts on communities are limited. Although research for Indian River has not been completed, other impacts of the Building Community Via Asset-based Planning stimulated informal conversations among residents in Indian River; involved local and county newspaper coverage before and during the survey administration that raised awareness in the community about the studies and the community's development issues, and a Sewer Sub-committee has been formed to address a long-running controversial issue about installation of a sewer system to reduce negative impacts to the water systems of the region. The Sewer Sub-committee has successfully built support to convince Township officials to proceed with an initial sewer study to determine cost factors of providing the infrastructure development for the downtown core area. Efforts in Traverse City,
Michigan related to proposal of a new underwater preserve have resulted in strong community partnership development, a strong proposal for preserve designation that is in final stages of the state approval process, and initial training of the first group of residents in avocational underwater archaeology and maritime historical research. Future courses have been requested.
Publications
- Miyakuni, K. and Vander Stoep, G.A. 2006. Linking linkage concepts from diverse fields to build a community-based tourism planning framework: The case of Shuri, Japan.. Tourism Geographies, 8(3):286-309. Oxfordshire, UK: Taylor & Francis.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2006. Review of J. Smith's Nature Noir: A Park Ranger's Patrol in the Sierra. In: Silverberg, K.E. (ed.) Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 21:133-135. Ashburn, VA: The Society of Park and Recreation Educators, National Recreation and Park Association.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2006. Museum visitors' perspectives on and preferred experiences for heritage tourism. In: Peden, J.G. and Schuster, R.M. (comps. and eds.), Proceedings of the 2005 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-341. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. Pp. 326-336.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2006. No more boxes: Thinking about parks, recreation and tourism from a systems perspective. In: International Conference of Tourism Development and Impacts: Conference Proceedings, Taipei, Taiwan: Department of Tourism, School of Management, Shih Hsin University and Tourism Bureau, Republic of China, Pp. 1-35.
- Meldrum, B.; Vander Stoep, G.A.; and Hollenhurst, S.J. 2006. Nicodemus National Historic Site Visitor Study: Summer 2005, VSP Report 173. Moscow, ID: Visitor Services Project, Social Science Program, National Park Service. 76 pp.
|
Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The specific grant associated with this project, Estimating Economic Impacts of Cultural Tourism in Michigan, was approved in fall 2001. The economic impact assessment component was completed in 2005. Supplemental components of the study had as its purpose to explore museum visitors perceptions about what constitutes heritage tourism and to determine factors important to their decisions to visit destinations having museums and other heritage amenities and experiences. When asked to identify the level of importance they attributed to twelve site characteristics related to history, heritage and culture when making a decision to visit a community, only three were rated as very important: visiting communities that preserve their historic character; walking along waterfront trails, boardwalks and other community self-guided walks; and viewing, reading wall displays, menu mini-histories, historic markers and monuments, outside exhibits along paths that explain local
history/culture. Thus, results indicate that communities wanting to attract the higher-spending, longer-staying, more educated cultural tourists should provide and promote authentic ambience through historic preservation, enhancement of the cultural landscape through use of linear trails and interpretive wayside exhibits, and by providing the community story in varied locations. Additionally, visitors seem to be attracted to self-guided experiences, many of which are free rather than fee-based opportunities. Discrepancies in definitions of cultural tourism suggest additional research to better understand those discrepancies. Outreach activities related to the overall MAES project included participation as a member of the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance, which has as goals to preserve Michigan maritime heritage and creating venues for nonformal education, as tourism attractions, and as part of community development; serving as a member of the Tourism and Interpretation task force of the
MotorCities National Heritage Area; and contributing to the Michigan Underwater Preserves Council agenda to enhance dive tourism and education about the Great Lakes. A small planning grant was received to develop a proposal for a research-based outreach project focused on community and economic development. The grant has funded familiarization and preliminary work within the community of Indian River, Michigan, located along the Inland Waterway. Preliminary work has been done in partnership with a Michigan Sea Grant agent, the Indian River Community Economic Development Alliance, and Tuscarora Township.
Impacts
Results of the museum study can be used at state, regional and community levels to design, restore or re-develop communities to incorporate cultural tourism considerations. These might include enhancing cultural and natural landscapes, developing attractions and experiences to meet visitor preferences for museum and other cultural experiences, and integrating cultural and historic stories within the broader community tourism system rather than restricting them to museums. Such community efforts then can be used in promoting a community to potential heritage tourists when they are deciding where to spend their time and money. The museum experience report and executive summary are available on the Michigan Museums Association web site, available for use across the state. Participating museums received individual reports specific to their museums, communities and visitors to help them integrate their museums with community tourism planning. Related presentations about
museum visitor preferences, travel decision-making, and museum visit experience assessment were given at the Michigan Museums Association 2004 conference and the Northeast Recreation Research Symposium. The Indian River community development project is in initial stages, with a community visioning session and three related research projects planned. A community vitality and economic development proposal is under development to extend work with the community over the next two years.
Publications
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2005. What Visitors Say About Their Museum Experiences: Supplement to Estimating Economic Impacts of Michigan Museums, Lansing, MI: Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, 34 pp. (plus 34 site-specific reports).
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2005. Challenges of estimating and using economic impacts for cultural tourism. Proceedings of the 2004 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. GTE NE-326:109-117.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2005. No more boxes: Thinking about parks, recreation and tourism from a systems perspective. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Creating a lifestyle: Proceedings of the IFPRA 2005 Asia Pacific congress, pp. 146-195.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2005. Interpretation for children. Proceedings of the International Edutainment Conference. Seoul, South Korea: Education Center for Interpretation of Nature and Environment in Sunchon National University, pp. 24-41.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2005. Implications of trends in outdoor recreation and tourism for interpretation providers. Proceedings of the international conference on interpretation of cultural and tourism resources. Daegu, South Korea: Daegu University, pp. 9-15.
|
Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The grant associated with this project, Estimating Economic Impacts of Cultural Tourism in Michigan, was approved in fall 2001, parts of which were extended into 2004. To assess impacts of heritage and cultural tourism partnership development, the study estimated economic impacts of tourism associated with Michigan museum visits. Specific objectives were to: develop profiles and participation patterns of cultural tourists in Michigan; estimate total visits and trips to Michigan museums; estimate the economic impact of museum and cultural facility operations; develop spending profiles of cultural tourists; estimate the relative contribution to overall Michigan and regional travel spending and economic impact; and estimate the portion of economic impact of secondary and incidental cultural tourist expenditures attributable to the trip's cultural component. Depending on the assumptions made, the intended use of results, and whether assessing spending, total statewide
economic impacts or significance, the results ranged from $305 to 733 million dollars. Explanations for the various calculations are presented. Secondary issues assessed in the survey included visitor motives, expectations, preferred opportunity and experience characteristics, and perceptions of culture and heritage in Michigan. While data entry, data analysis, and report-writing related to the economic impact objectives were completed in 2003, the draft report did not receive approval for public release until mid-spring 2004. Formal print publication occurred in September 2004. The report is available on the web sites of Travel Michigan and the Michigan Museums Association. Related presentations included project reports for client partners, and presentations at two regional research conferences and a community development/housing conference. Supplemental analysis of other variables (visitor preferences, travel decision-making, and assessment of museum visit experiences) are
continuing, with statewide and site-specific reports forthcoming in 2005. Plans are in progress for museum-focused economic impact workshops, to be conducted throughout Michigan. Another research project, conducted in partnership with the Center for Maritime and Underwater Resource Management, included final production and publication of a report on the historic shipwreck New Orleans, a side wheel steamer, in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in Alpena, Michigan. Results are incorporated in the preserve resource database, in local school curriculum, in a CD, and will be included in future exhibits. Additionally, the study serves as a pilot project testing use of electronic survey technology on a shallow-water shipwreck site. Outreach activities related to the overall MAES project included participation as a member of the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance, which has as goals to preserve Michigan maritime heritage and creating venues for nonformal education, as
tourism attractions, and as part of community development; serving as a member of the Tourism and Interpretation task force of the MotorCities National Heritage Area; and contributing to the Michigan Underwater Preserves Council.
Impacts
Designated as a co-managed national marine sanctuary and state underwater preserve, Thunder Bay protects underwater cultural resources while providing access, education and economic development opportunities for adjacent communities. Site documentation of the side wheel steamer New Orleans provides the only extensive documentation of a significant historic shipwreck within the preserve. A school curriculum, developed in 2003 and based on this local history, was adopted by the local school district in 2004. A local dive charter operator continues to include an interpreted visit to the site on a glass-bottomed boat. Plans for offering avocational underwater archaeology training are in progress in response to community requests. Communities are looking for ways to enhance their economies, with tourism increasingly attractive as one development tool. The economic impact of museums study spawned requests for community-based workshops. In response, a museum-adapted model is
being developed for workshops to train communities to conduct their own economic impact assessments of museum-included heritage tourism. Study results are being used by a maritime community tourism development initiative, spearheaded by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, as rationale for continued development of community-based tourism attractions and experiences in coastal areas. Finally, a two-day national workshop for integrating interpretation in tourism experiences was conducted prior to the National Association for Interpretation annual workshop, with eighteen participants.
Publications
- Stynes, D.J. Vander Stoep, G.A., Sun, Y.Y. 2004. Estimating Economic Impacts of Michigan Museums. Lansing, MI: Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, 94 pp.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2003. Incorporating Terrestrial and Underwater Cultural Resources in Aquatic Protected Areas Management to Aid Community Development, Enhance Tourism and Facilitate Resource Stewardship. In: Beumer, J.P. Grant, A. Smith, D.C. (eds.), Aquatic Protected Areas: What Works Best and How Do We Know? North Beach, QA, Australia: WA Marine Research Laboratory. Pp. 59-69.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. Labadie, C.P. McConnell, J. Vrana, K.J. 2004. Archaeological Site Description. In: Vrana, K.J. (ed.) Preliminary Archaeological Site Report: Historic Shipwreck New Orleans, Site Number 20UH209. Laingsburg, MI: Center for Maritime & Underwater Resource Management. Pp. 5-1-5-72.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2004. Opportunities for Interpretation and Education based on the Side-Wheel Steamer New Orleans. In: Vrana, K.J. (ed.) Preliminary Archaeological Site Report: Historic Shipwreck New Orleans, Site Number 20UH209. Laingsburg, MI: Center for Maritime & Underwater Resource Management. Pp. B-1-B-10.
|
Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The first research grant associated with this project, titled Estimating Economic Impacts of Cultural Tourism in Michigan, was approved in fall 2001, parts of which have been extended through March 2004. To assess the impacts of several years of work (with Michigan Museums Association and Travel Michigan as major partners) to create partnerships between cultural institutions and the tourism industry for developing successful heritage and cultural tourism, the study results estimated economic impacts of tourism associated with museum visits in Michigan. Specific objectives were to: develop profiles and participation patterns of cultural tourists in Michigan; estimate total visits and trips to Michigan museums; estimate the economic impact of museum and cultural facility operations; develop spending profiles of cultural tourists; estimate the relative contribution to overall Michigan and regional travel spending and economic impact; and estimate the portion of economic
impact of secondary and incidental cultural tourist expenditures attributable to the trip's cultural component. Secondary issues included visitor motives, expectations, preferred opportunity and experience characteristics, and perceptions of culture and heritage in Michigan. Data entry, data analysis, and report-writing related to the economic impact objectives were completed in 2003. The draft report has been submitted for review by the client prior to official public release by early February 2004. Another research project, in partnership with the Center for Maritime and Underwater Resource Management, included final report writing and preliminary layout of the report on a historic shipwreck in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in Alpena, Michigan. Associated outreach projects relevant to the larger AES project (cultural tourism and maritime resources management) included final planning and implementation of a three-day conference and teachers workshop,
Exploring Our Great Lakes Maritime Heritage (100 historians, museum professionals, teachers, writers, musicians and scholars involved); presentation to 80 people at a national conference on enhancing tourism experiences through interpretive communications, including publication of a workshop summary in a professional newsletter, The Traveler; and sharing teaching strategies with a group of international professionals for conducting certification training in avocational underwater archaeology; and participation as a member of the Michigan Lighthouse Alliance, which has as goals to preserve Michigan maritime heritage and creating venues for nonformal education, as tourism attractions, and as part of community development. Additionally, final revisions were made for an article, Incorporating Terrestrial and Underwater Cultural Resources in Aquatic Protected Areas Management to Aid Community Development, Enhance Tourism and Facilitate Resource Stewardship, to be published in early 2004 in
Grant, A. (ed.), Proceedings of 2002 Aquatic Protected Areas Conference.
Impacts
Designated as a co-managed national marine sanctuary and state underwater preserve, the Thunder Bay preserve protects underwater cultural resources while also providing access, education and economic development opportunities for the adjacent communities. Site documentation of the side wheel steamer New Orleans provides the first extensive documentation of a significant historic shipwreck within the preserve boundary. Data, images and historic documentation are being used to develop interpretive materials, some of which were presented by a local school teacher to a regional audience at the September 2003 Exploring our Great Lakes Maritime Heritage workshop. A local dive charter operator has incorporated an interpreted visit to the site on a glass-bottomed boat using some of the study information. Expected impacts of the economic impact study include identification of factors to assist the travel industry, museums and other cultural institutions, and communities
develop partnerships for more effective development and delivery of cultural experiences as part of the tourism experience. Although still awaiting approval for public release of the report, approximately 20 individual requests for the report have been received during 2003 in anticipation of its release. It is expected that study results also will be used by a maritime community tourism development initiative, spearheaded by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.
Publications
- Vrana, Ken and Vander Stoep, Gail. (2003) The maritime cultural landscape of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve. In: Spirek, James D. and Scott-Ireton, Della A. (eds.), Submerged Cultural Resource Management: Preserving and Interpreting Our Sunken Maritime Heritage. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Press. Pp. 17-28.
|
Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The first research grant associated with this project, titled Estimating Economic Impacts of Cultural Tourism in Michigan, was approved in fall 2001. To assess the impacts of several years of work (Michigan Museums Association and Travel Michigan as major partners) to create partnerships between cultural institutions and the tourism industry for developing successful heritage and cultural tourism, this study's results will estimate economic impacts of tourism associated with museum visits in Michigan. Specific objectives are to: develop profiles and participation patterns of cultural tourists in Michigan; estimate total visits and trips to Michigan museums; estimate the economic impact of museum and cultural facility operations; develop spending profiles of cultural tourists; estimate the relative contribution to overall Michigan and regional travel spending and economic impact; and estimate the portion of economic impact of secondary and incidental cultural tourist
expenditures attributable to the trip's cultural component. Secondary issues to be addressed include visitor motives, expectations, preferred opportunity and experience characteristics, and perceptions of culture and heritage in Michigan. Methods, instruments and data collection training for research associates were conducted so data collection could begin in early June 2002. Also in June, the study was expanded to include the Automobile National Heritage Area (MotorCities) sites. On-site mini-survey distribution and collection continued through September, with most collection of more extensive surveys completed by the end of the 2002. Reminder mailings will continue while data entry proceeds into early 2003, especially for the web-based version of the survey. Another research project, in partnership with the Center for Maritime and Underwater Resource Management, included final underwater data collection, which involved pilot testing use of electronic survey equipment to test its
feasibility in shallow water sites, and draft report writing and drawing of artist's perspectives on a historic shipwreck in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve. Another project involved a site visit and initial planning for a research and zebra mussel monitoring project on a shipwreck site at Isle Royale. Associated outreach projects relevant to the larger AES project (cultural tourism and maritime resources management) included implementation of two themed cultural tourism itinerary workshops (IMLS grant); participation as a community audit team member for heritage tourism for a coastal Michigan community; conduct of a 2-weekend (6-day) training program in avocational underwater archaeology and maritime history for Thunder Bay NMS/UP; international presentation on incorporating underwater cultural resources in marine park management to aid community development, enhance tourism and facilitate resource stewardship; invited participation in a marine protected
areas education workshop sponsored by NOAA; presentation of cultural resource program for a teacher education workshop on Great Lakes ecology; and initial planning for a maritime heritage and culture conference.
Impacts
Recently designated as a co-managed national marine sanctuary and state underwater preserve, the Thunder Bay site will protect the bay's underwater cultural resources while also providing access, education and economic development opportunities for the adjacent communities. Site documentation of the sidewheel steamer New Orleans, sunk in Thunder Bay near Alpena, Michigan in 1849, provides the first extensive documentation of a significant historic shipwreck within the preserve boundary. Data, images and historic documentation already are being used to develop interpretive materials. A local museum has requested collaboration to develop related museum exhibits. A team of local fourth and eighth grade teachers are using the results to develop classroom curricula based around the shipwreck and its stories. Research results, in combination with the training of local residents in avocational underwater archaeology and maritime history, provides the foundation for future
community-based local documentation of additional shipwreck sites. Expected impacts of the economic impact study include identification of factors to assist the travel industry, museums and other cultural institutions, and communities develop partnerships for more effective development and delivery of cultural experiences as part of the tourism experience.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
This is a new project as of July 2001. The first research grant associated with this project was recently approved and is now in progress. The specific study is titled Estimating Economic Impacts of Cultural Tourism in Michigan. The cultural community of Michigan, with strong leadership by Michigan Museums Association, has been working for several years to develop partnerships between cultural institutions and the tourism industry, and to develop successful heritage and cultural tourism, contribute to community development, contribute to regional and state economic development, enhance quality of life for residents and visitors, and more effectively meet museum objectives. Primary objectives of this study are to: develop profiles and participation patterns of cultural tourists in Michigan; estimate total visits and trips to Michigan museums; estimate the economic impact of museum and cultural facility operations; develop spending profiles of cultural tourists;
estimate the relative contribution to overall Michigan and regional travel spending and economic impact; and estimate the portion of economic impact of secondary and incidental cultural tourist expenditures attributable to the trip's cultural component. Secondary issues to be addressed include visitor motives, expectations, preferred At present, the literature review continues, the survey instruments are being developed, and plans are being finalized for visitor survey distribution in museums throughout the state during the summer of 2002. Associated outreach projects relevant to the larger AES project have included initial planning for a themed cultural tourism itinerary project (IMLS grant); consulting with a Lake Michigan coastal community on heritage tourism development and interpretation/museum planning; and preliminary planning for two community-based training programs in avocational underwater archaeology and maritime history for coastal communities.
Impacts
Expected impacts include identification of factors to assist the travel industry, museums and other cultural institutions, and communities develop partnerships for more effective development and delivery of cultural experiences as part of the tourism experience.
Publications
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2001. The role of avocational archaeology and history in managing underwater cultural resources: A Michigan case study. In: Contributed Papers: The 5th Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Trends Symposium. Lansing, MI: Michigan State University, Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources. Pp. 227-235.
- Vander Stoep, G.A. 2001. The role of avocational archaeology and history in managing underwater cultural resources: A Michigan case study. In: Kyle, Gerard (comp., ed.). Proceedings of the 2000 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-276. Newton Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station.
|
|