BOOKSTORE TOURISM

About Bookstore Tourism

Bookstore Tourism is a type of "cultural tourism" that promotes independent bookstores as a group travel destination.

It started as a grassroots effort to support locally owned and operated bookshops, many of which have struggled to compete with large bookstore chains and online retailers.

The effort was initiated in 2003 by Larry Portzline, a writer and college instructor from Central Pennsylvania who led "bookstore road trips" to various cities and recognized its potential as a group travel niche and marketing tool.

He promoted the concept with a how-to book and a website, and groups around the U.S. soon began offering similar excursions, usually via a chartered bus, and often incorporating book signings, author home tours, and historical sites.

The movement encourages schools, libraries, reading groups, and organizations of all sizes to create day-trips and literary outings to cities and towns with a concentration of independent bookstores. It also encourages local booksellers to attract bibliophiles to their communities by employing bookstore tourism as an economic development tool. (Which couldn't be more important these days!)

Others benefiting include local retailers, restaurants, bus companies, and travel professionals. The effort also provides organizations with an outreach opportunity to support reading and literacy.

BOOKSTORE TOURISM

Monday, October 12, 2009

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