Knowledge Tourism in the Knowledge Economy

The Rediscovery of Small Town Main Streets and Historic Districts with Sustainable Socio-Economic Policies

Knowledge Tourism brings together local histories, customs, values and traditions with expertise in a variety of disciplines to learn, experience and expand knowledge of the territory with a holistic program that addresses simultaneously:

Logistics such as Transit Oriented Development - TOD -  and Location Efficient Communities. Transit availability is important for business and economic development as well as a health issue, as numerous studies link reduced obesity with public transport, and the development of walking and biking trails, implemented in part via eServices and the application of appropriate communications technologies that put under served communities and customers within reach of public and private transport services at an affordable cost.

EnergyEfficiency and Water Quality/Conservation synergies between energy and water are key as costs and consumption of the latter are highly dependent on the efficiency of the former; also, main street storefronts, offices, museums and other venues can regain visitors from malls and other commercial structures only if they implement energy savings programs.

Geography and Historic Trade Routes, take into consideration rivers, lakes, coastlines, highways, wagon trails and rail routes to ensure sustainability and resilience, even where the rivers are no longer navigable, or a source of water for nearby communities, and rail heads have been dismissed. Each region has anchor locations with a history as hubs.

Anchor Locations are the points of reference for other local areas in their respective regions as well as cross-regional collaborations whereby a local government, nonprofit or business that has a specific expertise in a topic beneficial to local food and/or heath related issue, is invited to participate and transfer its know-how to ensure

Purchasing Power, the Achilles’ heel of both small communities and small business, achievable via local and regional collaborations and transfers of know-how and a

A Planning Process that addresses Land Use, Housing, Utilities, Community Facilities, Transportation, Water and Natural Resources, Historic Preservation and Economic Development.

New Small Business and Employment Opportunities

Cultural Heritage and Local Museums give meaning and purpose to the objects on display in museums and art galleries as they disclose the historical and archaeological heritage of a community, leverage conservation and the rediscovery of cultural heritage through the arts, history, archeology, literature and architecture, preserve biodiversity and the cultures associated with rural, coastal and river communities.

Local Food Wineries and Breweries there are several fascinating examples throughout America of a resurgence in farming that caters to an ever-increasing demand for local, quality and sustainable food, wine and ale consumption in urban and rural areas.

Preserving and Divulging the Cultural Heritage of American Communities via Placemaking

Public Transport Initiatives In recent years, efficient and affordable public transit - in the form of bus rapid transit - BRT, rail services and trolley cars – for urban, suburban and intercity service have been debated, studied and in some instances implemented. Major cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC and Minneapolis/St Paul that have established commuter and regional services can bring their planners and managers into collaborations with small town planners and businesses to construct efficient, safe and affordable commuter, transit and travel related services.

Water Resources and the Environment visit and study the efforts of communities that are in the forefront of water resources management and other environmentally sustainable practices in coastal and river waterfront development in small towns and large cities as well as agricultural communities. Local officials and nonprofit stewards of the environment, among others, explain their policies, programs and best management practices in wastewater and watershed management, land conservancy issues, LEED certifications, recycling, rainwater collection and energy efficient systems.

Industry and Commerce Itineraries from Agriculture and Industry to Services and Sustainability

Communities transitioning from traditional industrial and commercial activities to technologically innovative ones; in some instances, they are also able to re-establish their traditional economic activities with a successful application of the so-called knowledge economy and, in the process, becoming once again competitive in the world marketplace.t

Arezza - Knowledge Tourism

 Travel Planning and Destination Management in the United States and Italy

The Knowledge Tourism concept brings together local customs, values, and traditions with expertise in a variety of disciplines to learn, experience and expand knowledge of the territory in a holistic program that addresses:

Community histories that take-into-account the shaping of economic development projects

Geography and historic trade routes that consider river, lake and coastal navigation, highways, wagon trails and rail routes to ensure sustainability and resilience.

Industry Commerce Agriculture and Sustainability

Places transitioning from traditional industrial and commercial activities to technologically innovative ones; in some instances, they are also able to re-establish their traditional economic activities with a successful application of the so-called knowledge economy and, in the process, becoming once again competitive in the world marketplace;

Best Experienced in the Company of Local Friends and Experts

Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world economy right up there with real estate, autos, and financial services. It is also highly segmented: business travel, meetings, cruises, family vacations, food, and wine travel, responsible, sustainable, ethical, and more.

Cultural Tourism assumes uniquely local dimensions wherever you go; the activities that you, the local or global visitor, select and, irrespective of the length of your stay, are unique of the community you are visiting and rooted into the local economy, culture and traditions.

Knowledge Tourism Means Doing and Going Where the Locals Go

The Environment the importance to a community of environmental issues and practices like energy efficiency and water conservation cannot be underestimated, especially if tourism is an important contributor to the local economy.

Educated Travelers select destinations primarily on-the-basis of cultural, gastronomic, wellness and similar preferences; increasingly, they expect that the places they visit reflect their values on key issues like recycling practices, air and water quality, as well as the availability and quality of public transit.

Business Travelers require efficient plans to meet trip objectives. This may entail visiting several locations in a compressed period-of-time to seek investment and sales opportunities. They look to Main Streets shopping and entertainment venues, Historic Districts and other community neighborhoods that have or plan to put in place energy savings measures as well as other environmental safeguards that help reduce the cost of doing business in that local area.

A Successful Destination is defined as one that develops projects built around existing facilities that need upgrading and/or expansion to manage tourism flows and local production capabilities to enhance community offerings.

Communities as Anchors for Local and Regional Travel

Cultural Anchors Museums, Theaters and other Historic Buildings located on Main Street and in Historic Districts are repositories of a community’s values and traditions. Each Local Project integrates architecture with digital media and engages visitors through interaction with local citizens.

The best way to travel is in the company of people who live and work in the places you visit

Industry and Commerce Itineraries

Destinations where History is Still Being Made

Itineraries designed for American families and friends from abroad interested in experiencing the past, present and future of industrial and commercial development in key regions of the United States.

From Farming and Manufacturing to Services and Sustainability

Several American Communities are transitioning from traditional industrial and commercial activities to technologically innovative ones; in some instances, they are also able to re-establish their traditional economic activities with a successful application of the so called knowledge economy and, in the process, becoming once again competitive in the world marketplace.

Communications Training Small Business and Entrepreneurship

There are several reasons why a community’s traditional economy can succeed in a post-industrial environment. Among them are: the utilization of modern communications technology, updating existing industrial infrastructure, training of the local workforce and the participation of small businesses with the support of local government that often leads to new entrepreneurial opportunities as well.

Preserving and Divulging a Community Cultural Heritage with Local Museums

The travel services industry often plays a key role in generating economic multipliers in a community and Local Museums contribute to local economic development and are a key point of reference in telling the local story that links the past with the future:

Baltimore was the first and remains among the most successful efforts at redeveloping a downtown area. The Inner Harbor is a major travel destination and home to a unique museum made up of historic ships that have served the local community and the nation over time.

Nearby, Maryland’s Capital of Annapolis is a great example of a small town with a tourism vocation as demonstrated by museums that tell us about colonial America and life on the Chesapeake Bay.

In Hershey, the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum traces America’s love affair with the automobile and its cultural and economic contributions, ranging from drive-in movies, to gas stations, diners, shopping malls and long distance business and vacation travel.

In Chicago the Central Manufacturing District CMD a logistics and business incubator that focuses on advanced food production methods energy efficient off-grid and resilient neighborhoods

And out West, museums in Colorado Springs help define a thriving arts and culture scene and retrace for us the many industrial activities, from mining to construction and the Gold Rush, along with a compelling story of transportation, from horses to rail – local and intercity – to air and space.

Local Food Wineries Breweries and a Travel Economy

There are several fascinating examples throughout America of a resurgence in farming that cater to an ever increasing demand for local, quality and sustainable food, wine and ale consumption:

 

In the Washington, DC area, both in the US capital city and its suburban communities, a unique local economy driven by government spending has also fueled the development of downtown and neighborhood construction. This in turn has spawned a demand for nightlife and weekend amenities for both a highly educated and environmentally conscious local population and out of town visitors.

In the Maryland suburbs, the community of Silver Spring has undergone such a transformation and is excellent base from which travelers can take in the sights and monuments of the capital as well as the Potomac River Trails and the coastal communities along Chesapeake Bay.

Similar experiences that provide a uniquely local eno-gastronomical atmosphere with historical and sustainable attractions are present in Southeastern Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia Neighborhoods and Hershey Harrisburg and the Susquehanna River Valley.

Arts Culture and the Environment

Some communities have been in the forefront of land conservation, historic preservation, arts movements that celebrates land and landscapes and water resources management initiatives: 

In the Lehigh Valley, the local culture draws from the Moravian settlements experience in which all men were equal; a broad cultural environment in which music, art, education and religious tolerance flourished, as evidenced by the communal dwellings, churches and industrial structures.

The Brandywine Valley, facing an industrial development that would impact a largely rural community, focused on Development & Conservancy Issues, including floodplain areas that threatened to devastate water supplies in parts of the Delaware River Valley. Local residents bought endangered land and initiated conservation easements that now protect five and one-half miles along the Brandywine River. 

In the city of Philadelphia, the waterfront is now a 6 mile walking and biking destination. Trail features include streetscape improvements along the entire waterfront trail, a bi-directional bikeway, pedestrian walkway and rain gardens that collect the first inch of storm water, relieving the city sewer system during major weather events, as well as benches, bike racks, decorative street pavers and innovative solar trail lighting. Center City offers a thriving culture and entertainment scene as well as contemporary arts museum with training programs and study tours for students, aspiring artists and family traveling.   

Dallas is the first ISO 14001 certified city in the US - the international environmental standard which sets environmental goals for organizations and communities – and among the first to adopt a green building program that now boasts 5 LEED Gold, 1 LEED-EB Silver and 2 certified buildings. New projects in the city include pedestrian-friendly parks such as Main Street Garden, Belo Garden and the Klyde Warren Park. Dallas also is home to the Trinity River Audubon Center, a LEED certified building with many sustainable features: a vegetated roof, rainwater collection system, energy efficient systems and recycled materials.