<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Subject and purpose of work: The aim of this paper is to present the origin and assumptions of the concept of “book towns”, along with the conditions of its development and different ways of using this concept in shaping tourist attractiveness. Materials and methods: This paper was prepared on the basis of domestic and foreign literature overview, as well as with the case study method. The examples presented in this article encompass four “book towns” from different continents (Hay-On-Wye in Wales, Torup in Denmark, Clunes in Australia and Paju in South Korea). Results: Each of the analysed towns has a unique identity and its own idea of development. A book served as a tool for building social capital, entrepreneurship development (particularly in Torup) and forming new tourist destinations. Conclusions: The concept of “book town”, which was created in the 60s of the twentieth century, still arouses the interest of local communities and various groups of visitors, including, among others, tourists, booksellers and bibliophiles. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that a “book town” offers not only economic benefits but is primarily a tool for comprehensive interpretation and protection of local culture.</p></abstract>

Subject and purpose of work: The aim of this paper is to present the origin and assumptions of the concept of “book towns”, along with the conditions of its development and different ways of using this concept in shaping tourist attractiveness. Materials and methods: This paper was prepared on the basis of domestic and foreign literature overview, as well as with the case study method. The examples presented in this article encompass four “book towns” from different continents (Hay-On-Wye in Wales, Torup in Denmark, Clunes in Australia and Paju in South Korea). Results: Each of the analysed towns has a unique identity and its own idea of development. A book served as a tool for building social capital, entrepreneurship development (particularly in Torup) and forming new tourist destinations. Conclusions: The concept of “book town”, which was created in the 60s of the twentieth century, still arouses the interest of local communities and various groups of visitors, including, among others, tourists, booksellers and bibliophiles. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that a “book town” offers not only economic benefits but is primarily a tool for comprehensive interpretation and protection of local culture.

The Concept of “Book Town” as an Innovative Way of Using Local Resources for Tourism Purposes

Economic and Regional Studies / Studia Ekonomiczne i Regionalne

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Subject and purpose of work: The aim of this paper is to present the origin and assumptions of the concept of “book towns”, along with the conditions of its...

The Concept of “Book Town” as an Innovative Way of Using Local Resources for Tourism Purposes

Published Online: Oct 27, 2018

Page range: 60 - 73

Received: Aug 01, 2016

Accepted: Oct 01, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ers-2017-0016

Keywords
town of books, tourism, Hay-On-Wye

© 2018 Katarzyna Gralak, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The Concept of “Book Town” as an Innovative Way of Using Local Resources for Tourism Purposes

Published Online: Oct 27, 2018

Page range: 60 - 73

Received: Aug 01, 2016

Accepted: Oct 01, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ers-2017-0016

Keywordstown of books, tourism, Hay-On-Wye

© 2018 Katarzyna Gralak, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
town of books, tourism, Hay-On-Wye