Heritage event as tourist attraction: the case of Dymarki Swietokrzyskie, Poland

Abstract

While previous research has focused on heritage visitor attractions few studies have examined visitation to and experience of ancient industrial sites as geographical tourist spaces. This article profiles visitation to Dymarki Swietokrzyskie, a heritage reenactment of past events and ancient industrial traditions of iron smelting held in the Polish town of Nowa Slupia. Visitor survey analysis showed visitors perceive the event is a significant tourist attraction. It attracts tourists, is an element of the local heritage industry and contributes to the development of tourism services as part of the heritage tourism sector. The event in Nowa Slupia forms a tourist attraction based on heritage used for creating a contemporary heritage event, evoking specific tourist behaviors and therefore bringing economic profits. Creating the heritage tourism experience here was possible due to the influence of the mix of the elements in a heritage tourism behavioral model consisting of: politics, conservation, authenticity, impact management and interpretation. Examination of the event confirmed the validity of this framework for the analysis of heritage site visitation as well as providing practical insights for both site managers and future researchers.