Taken together, they comprise the most significant rural development initiative in the history of the state. It is a strategy that is essential to the future economic viability of our rural communities. This new tourism is cultural and heritage tourism, and it promises to bring much higher returns to rural communities and businesses than traditional windshield tourism. Heritage tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry. Heritage tourists also spend more money per capita and stay longer at their destinations than other tourists.
Heritage tourism means jobs and incomes for local citizens.
While many of its individual components are small, heritage tourism can become a major industry. A prime example of this can be found in the state of Pennsylvania, which has developed a system of national and state heritage parks that is the foundation of a thriving heritage tourism industry. Utah is just beginning to recognize the untapped potential that heritage tourism holds. Projects related to heritage tourism are springing up across the state. This interest is driven primarily by the economic development potential it offers potential that can benefit even the smallest towns and businesses in the State.