Greetings to the group!
 
As a tourism development consultant, I enjoy reading the comments from
this group-much if it irrelevant to my job, but enlightening nevertheless.
 
The question I have to the museum-folks is the extent to which their
local tourism marketing authority (convention & Visitors Bureau,
Destination Marketing Organization [DMO], Chamber of Commerce, etc) is
either: 1. aware of your institution    2. Considers it a resource for
visitors to enjoy       3. Includes your institution in marketing
activities (printed materials, on press tour itineraries, etc)
4. Includes you as part of the tourism "industry".
 
That is a lot to query, I am aware.  My general suspicion, however, is
that museums are considered a resource but perhaps only to keep people
longer once they are there (in a community).  I also suspect that the
traditional tourism industry does not work regularly with museums to
include them as part of their "operation".
 
I say this with the knowledge that the exceptions are probably large,
well-known museums.
 
I am trying to help the tourism industry understand museums and the roles
they play for a community and for tourists.  It seems there are so many
great opportunities for tourists but they are often unaware of the
resources?  Is this true? Partially true?  Way off base?
 
Mike Teskey
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
phone:303-393-7623