If your local or county government is struggling with questions about increasing tourism, you might suggest using genealogy as an attraction.
Dr. Nick Barrett, an expert from BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? programme, will be the keynote speaker at a conference in England aimed at promoting family tree tourism. Despite having all of its funding slashed by Lincolnshire County Council, VisitLincolnshire is to hold its annual tourism conference on March 1. The conference, taking place at the Lincolnshire Events Centre, will aim to give businesses the tools for success in the absence of the county's official tourism board.
Barrett said: "Ancestral tourism is absolutely huge.
"It started with Ireland reaching out to the Atlantic market and bringing people back in the country to trace their relatives from the 1800s. This was then taken to Scotland and it really showed heritage could be used as a tourism enticement.
"Programmes like Who Do You Think You Are? can go a long way to grab an audience and get them to visit heritage locations to broaden their own spectrum. People want to trace their ancestors and see the towns, streets and factories where they grew up. They want that real, gritty moment.
"There's a huge opportunity to bring people to Lincolnshire from places like Australia and America, allowing local guest houses, hotels, museums and heritage attractions to open their doors."
You can read more about the conference at http://www.visitlincolnshire.com/site/events/lincolnshire-county-of-culture-conference-1-mar-2011-p335371
