News & Columns

Archaeology and Tourism – In Search of a Balance

By Karin Elgin-Nijhuis

According to Cynthia Dunning Thierstein and Aurélia Basterrechea, the tourism industry is often hesitant to include archaeology and archaeological remains in their visitor experience development and destination marketing activities. Their perception of archaeology still suffers a bit from the cliché of “old stones” not having commercial viability. Archaeological remains are seen as the domain of archaeologists who may lack skills in communication and visitor experience development and whose voices may not be heard. 

Dunning Thierstein and Basterrechea will present the work of ArchaeoConcept, specialist in the field of modern, effective and sustainable (archaeological) heritage management development in Switzerland and abroad, and of ArchaeoTourism, an association that aims to develop a “common language” between archaeology and tourism and fosters the collaboration between professionals in these two fields.

Photo: Race of prehistoric dugout canoes on the lake of Biel in Switzerland, an example of the tourism activities the association ArchaeoTourism organises together with local cultural institutions.

6 February 2020