The potential of this topic and conference from a Disability Studies perspective fascinates me:
Texts and Tours: Developing the Potential of Literary Tourism on 5th December 2008 at Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds
Organised by the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change and
LitHouses: The Literary Homes and Museums Group
Given the privileged global role of the English language and the undoubted popularity of English literature throughout the world, it would seem that the United Kingdom has much to offer the world in terms of its literary heritage. However, despite some national, regional and local initiatives over the years, there is still substantial potential for the development of literary tourism.
Literary tourism can be focused on the locations featured in texts, upon the lives and homes of authors, or both. It can involve specific organised tours and trails, or form part of a wider cultural tour. It draws in many different stakeholders from museum curators, literary societies, the owners / managers of heritage sites and historic houses and, many involved in the development and promotion of tourism. Our literary heritage has an important role to play in ‘place-making’ and is an important dimension in the marketing of the UK as an international destination.
This one day conference is organised between the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change, a leading international centre for research and development in cultural tourism and, the LitHouses Group, which represents the UK’s leading literary homes and museums. The event is also the 5th Annual Conference of the LitHouses Group, which was founded in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2003. Drawing upon national and international cases and examples, the event will examine:
· Literary tourism in the wider context of ‘cultural tourism’;
· Practical issues relating to developing literary tours and trails;
· The role of the literary home/literary museum;
· Partnerships and networks;
· Meeting the needs of the literary tourist;
· Effective marketing of literary tourism;
· Developing literary events.
Conference Audience
The conference will be of interest to:
· Destination managers at local and regional level;
· Tourism development organisations and promotional agencies;
· Owners and managers of literary heritage sites and landscapes;
· Owners / managers of historic houses and museums with literary
· associations;
· Literary societies.
Keynote speakers
The conference programme is designed to allow for discussion and networking and will feature the following keynote speakers:
Patricia Yates
Head of Press and PR, VisitBritain
The Importance of Literary Heritage to Britain’s Tourism
Henry Cobbold
Director, Knebworth House
Reflections from the Literary Tourism Sector
Professor Mike Robinson
Director, Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change
Developing Literary Tourism and Trails
Steve Price
Managing Director, Au Marketing Services
Practicalities of Packaging Literary Tourism
Andrew McCarthy
Director, Brontë Parsonage Museum
Meeting the Needs of the Literary Visitors
Sharon Canavar
Director, Harrogate International Crime Writing Festival
Developing Literary Festivals and Events
Conference Registration
A registration form can be downloaded at
http://www.tourism-culture.com/pop_up/forthcoming_conferences.html?PAGE=1
The conference rate is £70. The conditions and cancellation policy are deatiled on the registration form.
Contact
For any enquiries or further information about the conference or registration, please contact Daniela Carl at ctcc@leedsmet.ac.uk or in writing to:
Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change
Faculty of Arts & Society
Leeds Metropolitan University
Old School Board
Calverley Street
Leeds LS1 3ED
UK
Posted by rollingrains at August 21, 2008 01:51 AM