Tribal tourism: museums better than casinos?
February 28th, 2009
On February 26, 2009, the Billings Gazette published a story that tribal museums are better at attracting tourism than casinos (get the entire article):
“Gambling doesn’t draw tourists to Montana’s Indian Country, but museums do. That’s one of the conclusions that came out of a survey conducted by the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research. . . .
“I think one of the big take-home messages in our state, anyway, is that gambling is not going to draw vacationers to Indian Country,” she said. “I think a lot of other states use that as a draw.”
Only 18 percent of people who visited a reservation indicated some level of agreement with wanting to gamble on a reservation, and 62 percent strongly disagreed with the idea. Of those who didn’t stop at a reservation, only 6 percent indicated that they strongly agreed with the idea of gambling on a Montana reservation, while 49 percent strongly disagreed.
On the other hand, 69 percent of those who visited a reservation were drawn by a museum and 39 percent said a historic landmark attracted them. More than half of the reservation visitors strongly agreed that they would be interested in learning about tribal culture and history. . . .
If people find reasons to visit reservations, one big barrier keeping them away, said Oschell, is a lack of information.
“People expressed the feeling if they had more information, they might do more and stay more,” she said. “So updating Web sites and updating publications – those are all really, really important if we want to grow tourism on reservations. They won’t venture into unknown territory very easily.”
One thing that might help with that is newly published “Seven Lodges” tourism handbook produced by the Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance (MTTA). The brochure’s title is derived from the seven reservations in Montana, said Michael Sweeney, an at-large member of the alliance’s board. . . .”
March 3rd, 2009 09:26
This is so true. I am from Washington DC and have frequented the native American museum. Each time I go there are score of visitors. If this holds true why wouldn’t people visit a reservation for the same reason?
November 4th, 2009 16:51
Great post here. I would definitely be in the 62% who strongly disagreed.
February 15th, 2010 23:12
Very interesting statistics and actually it does make sense. I agree with Dan on this one. If the survey shows, that only 18% are interested in gambling, then I think Montana’s Indian Country should concentrate providing more info on museums for tourists. In this case, gambling won’t bring the money, but history and museums will.
April 5th, 2010 23:42
No doubt museums and tourism perfoms much better to such country as Montana’s Indian Country.
Leave the casino to Las Vegas and as Cake said – concentrate 100% on tourism.
There is a golden rule – do what works best. With a minimum effort they can easily increase tourist traffic and of course the revenue that can Montana Indian Country can make. Summer is around the corner, so I think there is no better time for that.
Cheers!
March 17th, 2011 08:14
i agree with the museum and tourism its not only showcasing the culture of the place its also give information to the visitor than casino that you don’t have to do there is to unwind in an most expensive way.
June 12th, 2011 19:32
I really don’t get the idea of displacing natives who have fought and lived there lives peacefully. The worldly practice of gambling gives more profit that museums but I really think it is unfair if the latter prevails. Educating ourselves to what is important is what is important.
July 17th, 2011 19:36
How in the world we allow or should I say the government give importance to profit than the natives who fought and died for this land?
July 25th, 2011 23:11
This is great article on successful business. Business especially small one takes patience and old fashioned hard work to become successful.
August 31st, 2011 19:52
will simply be delighted over this new find. It is rare that so much valuable information is uncovered this many years afterwards. Truly a “transcendental” moment.