AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

Office of Historic Preservation, State of California
Page & Turnbull

San Francisco Architectural Heritage
Vallejo Architectural Heritage Foundation

Its location, historical immigration patterns, and economic standing have made San Francisco a multicultural hub on the Pacific Rim, supporting a vibrant heritage tourism industry.  As the 10th US/ICOMOS International Symposium venue, San Francisco will be a spectacular backdrop to this dynamic forum on heritage tourism, how different countries and sites have managed it in the past or are planning to in the future.
 

Heritage tourism is increasingly identified as a principal means through which to conserve cultural sites by promoting, presenting and interpreting those sites to the public.  This approach has evolved in increased opportunities for preservation, restoration, and development of historical and cultural sites, but it also has brought some negative consequences and challenges. Such complicating factors include competing interests among stakeholders, protection of resources undergoing tourism development, varying treatments of rural and urban sites, and the wide financial, cultural, and value-based differences that frequently exist between the host community, site managers, and visitors.

Heritage Tourism in and around the Pacific Rim

US/ICOMOS undertakes this symposium to present effective or innovative models for heritage tourism management and successful management plans and planning documents that address challenges of tourist visitation to historical and cultural sites and their ultimate sustainability.  While this trend is a global phenomenon, the Pacific Rim countries offer an intriguing perspective on heritage tourism.  The Pacific Rim is defined as all countries bordering the Pacific Ocean, as well as the island nations and cultures that are located within it. From nations with a homogenous society and an ancient heritage such as Korea and Viet Nam, to truly multicultural places like China, or countries with diverse native and immigrant cultures such as Thailand, Peru, Mexico, Canada, and the United States, an interest in promoting heritage tourism exists alongside concerns over the political and economic issues at stake.

As conveyed by the symposium title, US/ICOMOS issues this universal call for abstracts that discuss the basic themes of culture, conservation, and economics as related to heritage tourism within the Pacific Rim.  Additionally, the symposium will consider how experiences in the Pacific Rim related to other regions of the world.

As conveyed by the symposium title, US/ICOMOS issues this universal call for abstracts that discuss the basic themes of culture, conservation, and economics as related to heritage tourism within the Pacific Rim.  Additionally, the symposium will consider how experiences in the Pacific Rim relate to other regions of the world. The topics will address the full range of challenges associated with its economic, social, and cultural impact, in accordance with the following sub-themes:

1. IMPACT - how heritage tourism has benefited and/or negatively impacted local communities and/or the cultural sites themselves.

Topics will examine the challenging economic realities associated with heritage tourism.  As traditional funding sources are jeopardized, is tourism relied upon as an easy means to financial relief? How has the role of government and government policy on preservation and in relation to tourism evolved?

2. AUTHENTICITY - The issues of authenticity and presentation that heritage tourism brings forth, and how these issues have been managed, as well as the eventual effect of tourism on the authenticity of the place.

Critically important is an understanding of which sites lend themselves to tourism promotion and which do not.  What are the related responsibilities of the global conservation community?  What indicators or analytical tools can be developed to assess the potential of sites for tourism development without losing their authenticity and their spirit of place?

3. VALUES - how the unique tangible and intangible cultural values and resources been protected at sites impacted by heritage tourism while enhancing, as opposed to compromising, their economic value.  How has tourism been used to increase the economic value of sites without compromising the cultural values?

Questions relating to the effects of catering to the tourism experience at the expense of cultural sites itself and/or the site's interpretation may be discussed.  The homogenization of the tourism experience may be a relevant topic as well.  Speakers may discuss the dynamics of community and partnerships--the inclusion, role and power of cultural groups, ethnicities, or populations associated with heritage sites and venues.

Papers related to illustrative experiences from specific sites are encouraged.

Multi-media and Poster Session

In addition to presented papers, US/ICOMOS invites participation in a corollary multi-media and poster session related to the topics stated above.  The symposium presents the opportunity to exhibit research illustrating conservation practices, heritage tourism sites, and restoration projects through a poster session for general review throughout the duration of the symposium, with a question-and-answer- session on Saturday, April 21.  The size of the presentation area will be limited to three boards measuring no larger than 24" x 36" each.  Flexibility in presentation materials will be considered on an individual basis. For multi-media presentations, electronic equipment required will be the responsibility of the participant.

Please indicate whether your abstract is to be considered for a paper presentation, poster/multi-media presentation, or both.

Instructions for Submitting a Proposed Multi-Media or Poster Presentation

Please submit an abstract with one accompanying image as outlined above, but also include a brief description of the type of presentation (poster board, PowerPoint, video, etc.).  Participants are responsibility for providing all requisite electronic equipment and display mechanisms (US/ICOMOS will provide tables, but is unable to provide easels, display stands, or other such items).