Tourism

Cultural mapping is the first step and defining feature of Municipal Cultural Planning. It is a tool for deepening understanding of local cultural systems and engaging communities in this process. With a completed cultural map in hand, the next step in the Municipal Cultural Planning process is the identification of opportunities to leverage resources for larger economic and community benefit, build on and enhance the strengths of existing resources and addresses gaps and deficiencies.1 

While the outcomes of cultural mapping can be applied in a number of ways, the results have a particular bearing on tourism product development. An important part of tourism market readiness is clearly understanding what your community has to offer and what it lacks. Mapping facilitates this analysis. As an economic sector, tourism takes existing businesses from many diverse sectors and shifts them into new external markets. Like the creative class, travellers are always looking for new and different experiences. Culturally rich environments are a draw.

Glen Murray & Greg Baeker, "Culture + Place=Wealth Creation", Municipal World, Sept. 2006, p.14