Outline. Tourism A Viable Option for Abandoned Mines?

Transcription

1 Tourism A Viable Option for Abandoned Mines? Pete Whitbread-Abrutat Post-Mining Alliance, Eden Project Outline Post-Mining Alliance Mining and tourism Aspects of mining and tourism Case studies Success factors Cornwall 1

2 Cornwall, UK I live here 2

3 Vision To be a world leader in brokering solutions to catalyse action on mining legacies and in promoting integrated mine closure good practice Approach: not-for-profit, collaborative, apolitical, solutionsoriented An international network of networks with a hub at Eden Characteristics of Abandoned Mines No/ unwilling owner Derelict land: contaminated, unstable, dangerous mining infrastructure Source of pollution Community: often isolated, social problems (low wages, low house-hold income, high unemployment, substance abuse, low self-esteem) External perceptions: unattractive place to live/ invest Often expensive to remediate/ regenerate A major public concern in (and beyond) mining areas But much can be learned from other mine closure and other industrial scenarios 3

4 Why Tourism? Common option for the sustainable regeneration of mined lands and communities World s biggest industry - continually growing Strong cultural identity of mining regions Existing infrastructure private roads, railways, ports, airports, water, power Clean and safe employment Access to regeneration funds owing to economic, social and environmental blight in many mining regions Conservation V regeneration Tourism Options Heritage Non-heritage Mixed (on-site) Integrated (beyond the site) These categories are not mutually exclusive 4

5 Mining Heritage Tourism Typically: A mining museum and trip underground Important for cultural identity reasons Unsustainable Small regeneration impact Must compete with other, higher priority public funding areas (health, environment, education) However: Heritage is a growing tourism market Provides opportunities for cohesion, education and skills development, branding Eg Geevor Mine, Cornwall WHS Penwith, Cornwall 5

6 Cornwall World Heritage Site Large scale heritage conservation & potential tourism WHS Landscapes 6

7 Non-Heritage Tourism Using mining infrastructure, communities and landscapes to create novel tourism opportunities Taking a holistic approach, both heritage and nonheritage attractions can benefit one another Innovation and investment: attracting often transient funding Diverse partnerships focusing on synergy Look beyond the usual suspects for creativity and funding Eg Eden Project Eden Project 7

8 Eden Achievements Since 2001 Eden is an educational charity that has: Grown the largest rainforest in captivity Created 85,000 tonnes artificial soil Attracted 7.5 million visitors Educated 170,000 school children Pumped 700 million into local economy Extended Cornwall s tourist season Directly employ 420 Raised profile of Cornwall 8

9 Mixed Tourism Combining heritage and non-heritage tourism elements on the same multi-purpose site Broadens visitor appeal But, trade-off between attracting revenue and cultural authenticity Requires bold and partnership approaches Eg Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland Salt mined here for many centuries, as a state-owned mine for most of this time Visitors since 15 th century. Tourism developed rapidly in 18 th and 19 th centuries Mining stopped in Today, mine employs over 600, attracting 1 million per year State company: maintains the mine (EHS), utilises salt water, maintains and develops public access Limited company: manages tourism aspects and educational activities Future plans: increase integration into local economy by improving visitor infrastructure and attractions in the town, to encourage visitors to stay longer. Re-brand as the Salt Town, based on mining traditions and health properties 9

10 Wieliczka images Integrated Tourism Maximising regeneration opportunities by integrating tourism more fully into the local economy by: Policies on local sourcing and local employment Attracting external capital funds Strengthen links to education sector Joint marketing initiatives Branding (eg Cornwall WHS) The media 10

11 Impacts of Tourism Negative Heritage tourism niche interest of a niche market Requires associated infrastructure Low pay and poor conditions Often seasonal Susceptible to economic cycles Encourages immigration cultural dilution Property prices Resulting social exclusion Positive Maintain cultural heritage Earn a livelihood Improve perceptions of an area Provides local work Relatively clean and safe Learn new (transferable) skills Can be educational Economic diversification (even during mine s operational life) Maximising Regeneration Potential from Tourism Local solutions according to local circumstances tourism not always the most appropriate solution Maximise funding options don t always go for easy options Creative partnership approaches education, art, science, industry, NGO, governments Look beyond the usual actors leadership, creativity and funding Local community critical and meaningful involvement Visitor appeal broad and diverse offer; experimental and entertaining interpretation, for all generations High quality catering, retail, staff interaction with visitors Policies to maximise SD footprint local employment, local sourcing Staff training transferable skills, personal development Integration with other tourism (and non-tourism) opportunities Freshness and flexibility use site for different purposes to broaden appeal; change regularly to attract return visitors (eg events, performances) Uniqueness and spectacle design, architecture, impact Communication broadly and often of work and positive impacts Branding and marketing understanding of media, link to wider tourism strategies 11

12 Thank you! Merci! 12