term 'heritage tourism' means the
promotion of diverse people, places,
objects and activities of a particular
destination."
EVALUATING THE MARKET
For some destinations, heritage
travelers have made up a strong seg-
ment of the market for many years.
For others, the niche is still early in its
development but growing in impor-
tance.
" G r e e n s b o r o 's
local tourism busi-
ness has long gained
from all the heritage
tourism offered in
the city," says Ava
Pope, director of
sales for the Greens-
boro, North Carolina
Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"From the Revolutionary War
sites, Civil War sites and now the civil
rights sites, Greensboro is steeped in
significant places and events that have
shaped the history of the city as well
as the nation. I consider it a very
important part of our tourism base.
Whenever we sell the city to conven-
tions, meetings and events, we are not
only selling the great facilities we
have – hotels and meeting sites – but
also the great wealth of history that
Greensboro offers."
Plaque to the four students of North Carolina A&T
State University who conducted the first lunch
counter sit-in on February 1, 1960 at the Wool-
worth Store
Photo Credit: Greensboro CVB
AVA POPE
Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com
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