The impact of the “economy of history”: The example of battlefield tourism in France

The “economy of history” in France, or history as a motor for French economic activity, is of great importance to those areas of the country most affected by the First and Second World Wars. The attraction of France to tourists is a well-known, and quantifiable, phenomenon, yet the impact of battlef...

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Main Author: David Foulk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Éditions Touristiques Européennes 2016-12-01
Series:Mondes du Tourisme
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journals.openedition.org/tourisme/1338
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author David Foulk
author_facet David Foulk
author_sort David Foulk
collection DOAJ
description The “economy of history” in France, or history as a motor for French economic activity, is of great importance to those areas of the country most affected by the First and Second World Wars. The attraction of France to tourists is a well-known, and quantifiable, phenomenon, yet the impact of battlefield tourists on both the local and national economies has remained hitherto unknown. Battlefield tourism attracts enthusiasts both from within France’s borders, as well as those journeying from further afield. This study seeks to show the relative importance of this niche market for those French villages that have been the most heavily touched by these historical events, making use of both official statistics as well as those published by the centres themselves, most notably the Historial de la Grande Guerre at Péronne and the Visitor Centre at Thiepval. However, the economic consequences are not simply felt within France, but also cross international borders along with those undertaking the journey, illustrated by the case study of Leger Holidays.
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spelling doaj.art-f34679f1f4644ff68f9cd9a259b105b82022-12-21T19:14:13ZengÉditions Touristiques EuropéennesMondes du Tourisme2109-56712492-75032016-12-011210.4000/tourisme.1338The impact of the “economy of history”: The example of battlefield tourism in FranceDavid FoulkThe “economy of history” in France, or history as a motor for French economic activity, is of great importance to those areas of the country most affected by the First and Second World Wars. The attraction of France to tourists is a well-known, and quantifiable, phenomenon, yet the impact of battlefield tourists on both the local and national economies has remained hitherto unknown. Battlefield tourism attracts enthusiasts both from within France’s borders, as well as those journeying from further afield. This study seeks to show the relative importance of this niche market for those French villages that have been the most heavily touched by these historical events, making use of both official statistics as well as those published by the centres themselves, most notably the Historial de la Grande Guerre at Péronne and the Visitor Centre at Thiepval. However, the economic consequences are not simply felt within France, but also cross international borders along with those undertaking the journey, illustrated by the case study of Leger Holidays.http://journals.openedition.org/tourisme/1338economy of historybattlefield tourismWorld War 1 battlefieldsWorld War IIFrench tourism
spellingShingle David Foulk
The impact of the “economy of history”: The example of battlefield tourism in France
Mondes du Tourisme
economy of history
battlefield tourism
World War 1 battlefields
World War II
French tourism
title The impact of the “economy of history”: The example of battlefield tourism in France
title_full The impact of the “economy of history”: The example of battlefield tourism in France
title_fullStr The impact of the “economy of history”: The example of battlefield tourism in France
title_full_unstemmed The impact of the “economy of history”: The example of battlefield tourism in France
title_short The impact of the “economy of history”: The example of battlefield tourism in France
title_sort impact of the economy of history the example of battlefield tourism in france
topic economy of history
battlefield tourism
World War 1 battlefields
World War II
French tourism
url http://journals.openedition.org/tourisme/1338
work_keys_str_mv AT davidfoulk theimpactoftheeconomyofhistorytheexampleofbattlefieldtourisminfrance
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