Preservation and Promotion of Heritage in Westman: A Rural Tourism Experience from Manitoba Doug Ramsey Department of R

1. Preservation and Promotion of Heritage in Westman: A Rural Tourism Experience from Manitoba Doug Ramsey Department of Rural Development Brandon University

2. Heritage in Westman Presentation Outline Introduction Overview of Westman Heritage Strategy Route-based Tourism Outreach at Brandon University Westman Heritage Inventory Summary

3. Westman Heritage Strategy Background: Heritage Tourism = 37% of Canada�s tourism motivated visits This percentage is much lower in Manitoba A partnership model developed to assess opportunities Five initiatives (each interrelated):

4. Product developmentand marketing �Objectives: �Awareness, image, appeal �Collaborative packaging and value �How to achieve objectives: �Identify heritage image �Linking themes and heritage products �Marketing program �Annual heritage event �Westman heritage tour

5. 2. Heritage tourism partnership program �Objectives: �Seek heritage partners �Resource allocation �Increase motivation to visit �Match experience to expectation �How to achieve objectives: �Heritage investment partnerships �Heritage marketing partnerships �Coordinate government funding �Develop strategic partnerships

6. 3. Authenticity through preservation and conservation �Objectives: �Regional attractions theme �Conservation �How to achieve objectives �Assess quality of resources �Develop technical quality �Crisis intervention �Establish a regional focus

7. 4. Communication, educationand interpretation �Objectives: �Heritage benefits �Authentic experiences �Motivate travel to region �How to achieve objectives: �Information services �Training and professional development �Community outreach �Heritage visitor passport

8. 5. Heritage Discovery Centre �Objectives: �Heritage focus �Orientation to the region �How to achieve objectives �Functional program and site selection �Development of centre �Staffing

9. Route-based Tourism Rationale = rural attractions tend to be: small scale located distant to major markets surrounded by common elements and landscapes Definition Theme-based excursions developed with the purpose of connecting sites/attractions/destinations of interest located along a common pathway.

10. Route Based Tourism (continued) Westman Heritage Strategy Inc. Sample Tours Military Agricultural Mixed Military Tour Sites/Destinations Artillery Museum, Shilo Aviation Museum, Brandon Historic Monuments, SW MAN

11. Outreach Opportunities Brandon University�s Outreach Desk Example: Arden, Manitoba Declared �Crocus Capital of Manitoba� (May, 2001) Established organic grain cooperative (May, 2001) Located on sandy ridge aboriginal archaeological sites pioneer route parallels river system (some trail development) Has retained original townscape

12. Outreach in Arden, Manitoba Cultural and natural resources inventory Potential to connect with other communities Neepawa (Lily Festival, Margaret Laurence) Gladstone (Happy Rock, Museum) Being located on Yellowhead provides opportunity to link with other small communities Market potential = tourists travelling between Winnipeg and points west (RMNP, SK, AB, BC)

13. Westman and BU Outreach Westman Heritage Inventory Project BU Outreach Service Grant ($2,500) Background: Methods: site visits, published materials, interviews Eight categories: museums, buildings, parks, sites, events, churches, historical societies, art galleries Result: 242 sites and resources identified Purpose: Create a base-line web-searchable data base Launch with marketing to generate interest

14. Work to Date on Inventory Cimnet @ BU http:\\westmanheritage.cimnet.ca www.cdd.cx/start START � S-W Association for Regional Tourism Rural Tourism Class Project Five regions: NW, NE, SW, SE, Brandon Inventory to include: eight categories Services and accommodations Cultural icons and festivals Scenic dimension for Web Site

15. North-east Arden Crocus � Cultural Icon Grain Elevator � 1928 � now organic grain coop Streetscape � pattern and architecture River and ridge � biophysical and cultural history Camping and trails Swinging bridge

16. Heritage Inventory - Brandon Museums 26th Field Regiment Agriculture and Agrifoods Canada Research Centre B.J. Hales Museum Carousels and Dolls Museum Daly House Museum Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame

17. Heritage Inventory - Brandon Buildings (14) Former Burchill and Howey Block Former Paterson/Matheson House Villa Louise Brandon College and Clark Hall Buildings Fraser Block Maley House (Casa Maley B&B)

18. Heritage Inventory - Brandon Sites None Events Brandon Folk Music and Arts Festival Royal MB Winter Fair MB Summer Fair MB Fall Fair

19. Heritage Inventory - Brandon Churches St. Matthew�s Anglican Church Historical Societies/Organizations Brandon Mental Health Centre Historical Society Brandon Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee Art Galleries Art Gallery of Southwestenr Manitoba Priaire Showcase

20. Future Directions: Manitoba Role of provincial and federal agencies in facilitation Release of �Tourism Forum� Report Need to explore the idea of �Route Based Tourism� Southwest Trails Association for Regional Tourism Westman Heritage Inc.

21. Thank-you for your time and attention Contact Information Doug Ramsey Department of Rural Development Brandon University Brandon, MB R7A 6A9 Phone: 204-571-8514 Fax: 204-725-0364 Email: ramsey@brandonu.ca Web: www.brandonu.ca/academic/ruraldevelopment