[BCMA] An Introduction - Happy Statistic Trend

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

To add to the statistics observation Sue mentions (Barkerville attendance very healthy compared to the rest of the tourism sector in the region), we observed the same result during discussions amongst Victoria heritage and historic sites, several only down a percent or two at worst and some actually up a few percent from last year.  The Victoria regional tourism average was generally described as minus 10 to 15%, or worse in some sectors.   I suspect the same comparative result for other BC regions too.

Perhaps the phenomenon is an illustration of the word we keep hearing that Cultural Tourism is currently the fastest growing tourism sector.   For the most part, our institutions have well developed facilities, ready for visitors.   We are in an excellent position to benefit from the observed visitor trend to seek authenticity and meaningful hands-on participation, qualities offered best through skilled Heritage Interpreters combined with authentic historic settings and exhibits.   In this time of financial panic and possibilities of short term doctoring of our institutions and programs to be quickly popular or cheaply operated, we should make very sure not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.   Both (historic and authentic) are our greatest assets when it comes to heritage tourism, and as we all know (except way out at Barkerville) significant tourism can be local as well as long distance.

When dealing with trends, it is important to remember, as my mother used to say with great regret, "All things pass!"   Our golden opportunity seems to be "Now".

Cuyler Page
Craigflower Farmhouse & School
Victoria, BC
(250) 386-1606
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. 
  To: Rick Goodacre ; lvfoster at shaw.ca ; leslie.gilbert at cityofportmoody.com ; smarsden at thereach.ca 
  Cc: Julie Fowler ; bcma-l at museumsassn.bc.ca 
  Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 10:39 AM
  Subject: [BCMA] An Introduction


  Hi everyone;

  Scott meet the chief movers and shakers of Heritage BC; Larry, Leslie and Rick, meet Scott who heads up the BC Museums Association Ad Hoc Advocacy committee and also manages The Reach in Abbotsford. 

  I promised to get my Heritage BC friends in touch with the BCMA whilst at the annual Heritage Planners meeting in late November. I must apologise for my lengthy delay - my family's health situation continues to consume most of my time. My forays back into matters heritage are sporadic as a result. 

  My intent in making this electronic introduction was to encourage  BC'sd two largest history keeping and province - wide organizations to work collaboratively with the arts sector to get through these troubling  economic times.   There are strengths in numbers and coordinated advocacy efforts make real sense.  

  Just how linked our sectors are has come home once again with news about the financial struggle  facing Island Mountian Arts in Wells BC and what the implications for Barkerville will be if they have to suspend operation. The impact will be substantial for the economy of the town of Wells, for those outside artists directly involved in offering the annual (and impressive) Island Mountian Arts Festival as well as programming etc, at the historic site.  The syngergy between the two key cultural heritage players is critical to keeping visitation up.  Barkerville was only down 1.6% last summer compared to a regional average of over 15%. It was the diversified visitor product and the ongoing collaboration that was the key to success. 

  And now I have finished my little rant and urging to work together - a very Happy New Year to you all!  

  Cheers

  Sue




------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  BCMA mailing list
  BCMA at lists.vvv.com
  http://lists.vvv.com/mailman/listinfo/bcma
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.vvv.com/pipermail/bcma/attachments/20100109/355c52cb/attachment-0001.htm