Writing Lessons & Advice: Literary Tourism
- Katie Johns
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
In the United States, late May through August is embraced as the prime time for leisure tourism, or summer vacation in simpler terms. Throughout this timeframe, most schools complete regular instruction, summer officially starts, and many worthwhile holidays take place. So families often undertake some kind of getaway from their daily grind for a little bit of fun, celebration, and refreshment.
Depending on plans and preferences, summer vacation also takes or blends a handful of other tourism “styles” like:
agrotourism- farm-based experiences, such as corn or hedge mazes, petting zoos, or ranch/farm tours
cultural and historical tourism- visits to museums, parks, landmarks, or events significant to a locale
adventure- most extreme, high-adrenaline, or exotic experiences, like zip lining, hiking, surfing, or scuba diving
sports- destinations to athletic games, competitions, or attractions
beach- travel and activities along coastal areas
domestic- tourism within one’s own country; be it to another city, state, region, or cross-country
or even international- tourism outside one’s own country. Cruises are a common form
Many destinations beyond one’s home base can entice almost any recreational interest…including those of the writers and bookworms! Literary tourism would be the style that most appeals to them!
Literary tourism is a niche within cultural tourism that focuses on places associated with writers and literature. Activities in this vein can include visiting a writer’s home, birthplace, grave, or other settings connected to a creator or character. Conversely, one could also go to museums or monuments dedicated to some slice of written word culture. A few other simple approaches include finding independent bookstores, literary events, or even Free Little Libraries as you're able in places you visit. If more exotic destinations are in the cards, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (abbreviated UNESCO) has established a Cities of Literature program with metropolises throughout the world that help promote their region’s literary cultures. Smaller towns--many around Europe-- have embraced similar objectives by establishing themselves as booktowns through an international organization. Even some hotels and cruises offer bookish-themed stays or excursions!
Some extent of this travel focus has existed for at least a few hundred years, but momentum has been added to the trend through a combination of rekindled interest in book clubs, a growing focus on literary heritage, literary festivals and holidays, pop culture, and post-pandemic ambitions to travel and (re)connect with others. The Internet and social media have contributed to its growth and popularity as well. Google searches on the topic have regularly peaked over the last fifteen years. No doubt guiding web-goers to outlets extolling the virtues or recommending good places. (Several will be shared below) Nowadays, searching with #literarytourism in one of your favorite platforms should bring up myriads of ideas and recommendations. Virtues extolled this time in ways to target and appeal to audiences of short-form audio and/or visual postings.
Literary tourism does good things for all sides. Communities centered on it experience healthy sustainable tourism, or tourism that minimizes negative social or economic impacts. Local authors, publishers, booksellers, and other area businesses gain support, if not publicity as well. It’s also generally more versatile, not having to be as constrained by elements like location, season, events, or activities like some of the other tourism styles can be. Visitors and participants can be enriched socially and intellectually with the tourism’s priorities on matters like literacy, education, culture, and diversity. Some exhibitions might even evoke a sense of exclusive opportunity, like offering private tours to certain groups or showing an author’s artifacts that are not normally available to the public. Socially-driven events bring kindred spirits together. More still, attractions like visiting an author’s home, hangout, or grave gives their fans a trace of connection to the writer/writing they love. For writers, some places like these might even offer unique project inspiration or research.
Tourism is a strong part of most summer vacation traditions. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say the season doesn’t feel complete to me without a bit of swimming, July 4th fireworks, a fun trip somewhere at some point, and time to read and write. Literary tourism provides literary-adjacent experiences that get me mentally and geographically beyond the printed page while completing at least half of my summer to-do list! And while sun-and-sand fun are best in the dog days, literary tourism can carry on in nearly every season! With its growing appeal, hopefully there is (or will be) some element to support or engage with near you!
Have you participated in literary tourism? Where have you gone? What did you do? Where do you want to go? Is there another topic you want my Lessons & Advice on? Let me know by reaching out to me in the chat feature or socials!
sources/further reading
Facts and figures
Arcos-Pumarola, J. (2023). Literary Tourism Destinations. In Baleiro, R., Capecchi, G., & Arcos-Pumarola, J. (Eds.). E-Dictionary of Literary Tourism. University for Foreigners of Perugia.
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