How do you know when your heritage site needs interpretation?

Is your interpretation letting your heritage site down?

Look for the warning signs!

Here are a few indicators that your site could be desperate need of new or improved interpretation:

Visitor numbers have decreased, flat-lined or not significantly increased over the past 2-3 years

Visitor numbers are below expected numbers in relation to site location (population bases) or compared to visitor numbers at other sites in the area

Visitor dwell time (the average length of visit to the site) has decreased over the past 2-3 years

Number of complaints from visitors increasing

Site has to reduce hours of operation due to poor attendance

Low staff moral

Site has to reduce staff hours or lay-off staff due to poor attendance

Staff leave or move on to other sites

Gate income has decreased, flat-lined or not significantly increased over the past 2-3 years

Catering income has decreased, flat-lined or not significantly increased over the past 2-3 years

Retail (shop) income has decreased, flat-lined or not significantly increased over the past 2-3 years

Donations have decreased, flat-lined or not significantly increased over the past 2-3 years

Membership has decreased, flat-lined or not significantly increased over the past 2-3 years

Site management problems are increasing or remain unresolved (littering, graffiti, damage, etc.)

Site has poor public image or reputation

Site has poor name and mission recognition

Site lacks community attendance, support or involvement

Site finds it difficult to keep guides or volunteers

Site experiencing reductions in grant aid support from past years

Visitors do not leave the site truly understanding the story or mission of the site

Memberships to your organization are flat or declining

Site lacks sparkle, excitement, fun, experiences, and BENEFITS to visitors

Promotional collateral such as brochures aren’t working

On a Saturday afternoon in the summer your site looks “empty”!

If your site suffers from one or more of these problems, chances are your interpretive presentation is letting you down.

But don’t worry, help is at hand!

Contact us to find out how we can help you get your site back on track!

Visit our projects list!

Find out about HDC heritage interpretation services: what is heritage interpretation?; why do you need heritage interpretation?; what are the benefits of heritage interpretation?; what are interpretive planning themes & objectives?; who was Freeman Tilden?; heritage interpretation planning; heritage interpretation design; heritage interpretation panel & exhibit fabrication; heritage interpretation training; developing tourist trails; request for proposal guidance notes; exhibit request for proposal template; interpretive planning request for proposal template; panel request for proposal template
Find out about HDC tourism development: tourism strategy & policy; tourism training; developing tourism partnerships; cemetery tourism; birdwatching tourism; fishing tourism; watchable wildlife tourism
Find out about HDC tourism marketing: exhibition services; travel trade marketing; public relations and awareness; tourism brochure design; tourism research; tourism facts

Contact us to see how we can help you!

Heritage Destination Consulting Ltd.
heritage interpretation & tourism consultants
www.heritagedestination.com
www.heritagedestination.co.uk

How do you know when your heritage site needs interpretation?

Is your interpretation letting your heritage site down?

Here are a few indicators that your site could be desperate need of new or improved interpretation:

Visit our projects list!

Contact us to see how we can help you!

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