Industrial tourism is the concept of visiting places related to the most common industries in a place. Industrial tourism usually includes:
Visits to operational companies and industrial heritage
Provide experience with respect to a particular product
Allows visitors to learn and experience the production process
Teach tourists about the history and background of a particular industry
Industrial tourism is not a new type of tourism, and it occurs all over the world, where various industries have existed for centuries. People may visit traditional places, or more modern places. The most common industries people visit are branded luxury goods, food and drink, symbols of certain regions (such as bananas in Guatemala), and handicraft goods.
According to Frew (2000), industrial tourism occurs when a tourist visits an operational location, where the core activities of that location are not tourism-oriented. In other words, industrial tourism occurs when tourists visit a location related to an industry other than tourism. Many people believe that industrial tourism is limited to manufacturing industries, but in fact industrial tourism includes any organization or business that opens its doors to tourists.
Industrial tourism is a good example of educational tourism, because it often revolves around learning about a particular industry or organization.
Example of industrial tourism
Examples of industrial tourism come in many shapes and sizes around the world, but they are all generally based on the premise of visiting tourist attractions focused on a particular industry. The following are some examples of industrial tourism:
Work while watching
Factory tour
Mine tour
Farm tour
Wine tour
Parliamentary Tour
Tours of specific company locations (e.g. Ford)
Factory visits by business tourists
Why is industrial tourism gaining popularity?
Industrial tourism is increasingly popular. This happens for several reasons. One reason is that people in general are moving away from traditional 'holiday' tourism – we are less likely to want to spend time lazing by the pool or sunbathing on the beach and are more likely to want to get to know a tourist destination in more depth. This happens because information becomes more accessible; when we see photos, read blogs, or watch documentaries about an industry in a particular city or country, we tend to want to see it for ourselves.
It is also becoming more popular as tourism boards and individual companies encourage it. For some countries that have industries or product types that are specific to them, they may tend to present them as tourism activities or opportunities. By doing this, they provide a boost to their economy.
This is especially true for industries that are no longer as necessary or popular as they once were. With technology taking over the creation of many products, traditional industrial techniques are being neglected. To capitalize on revenue that may be lost in the area because not many businesses are coming, places can invite tourists to see how things used to be. This is commonly seen in the agritourism industry, where agriculture is used for tourism purposes as well as traditional agriculture.
Another reason why industrial tourism is growing in popularity is because people are always looking for something new. As humans, new experiences are very important to us. Many tourists have already visited churches, walking tours, and museums, and want to see something different. Industrial tourism provides a brilliant way to do this.
Benefits of industrial tourism
There are many benefits of industrial tourism. One of the main benefits is educational tourism. Industrial tours can be a fantastic option for students or people who simply want to learn more about a particular industry. From taking a tour of a gold mine during a road trip in Canada to visiting a tea plantation while visiting Sri Lanka, there are so many interesting and fun educational opportunities.
Another major benefit of industrial tourism is money. Industrial tourism can help improve the economy by bringing in money. Money can be earned through admission tickets, souvenirs, and more. Plus, tourists can spend more money in the area on things like hotels and food. The money can then be reinvested into the economy.
Industrial tourism destination
There are many destinations that offer industrial tourism. From salt mines in Poland to blacksmith workshops in the English countryside, there are countless options. The following are some popular industrial tourism destinations!
Industrial tourism in tea plantations, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a great place to visit tea plantations. There are several locations across the country, and this popular tour is a great way to see more of Sri Lanka while enjoying the stunning weather and views. Sabaragamuwa is home to Sri Lanka's largest tea plantation, and you'll see the tea picking and making process from start to finish. Make sure to always look for tours that visit plantations that focus on workers' rights, as tea pickers are one of Sri Lanka's most disadvantaged citizens.
Industrial tourism at the Britannia Mine, Canada
Located in British Columbia, the Britannia Mine is a must-visit if you are looking for industrial tourism in Canada. The museum is a non-profit organization that has preserved artifacts and information related to British Columbia's mining history. There are 23 buildings here, which house more than 7000 artifacts, almost 10,000 photographs and around 3000 documents. You'll take a train ride through historic haulage tunnels and see how historical mining equipment and lighting worked. Mining has always been a very important industry, and a glimpse of it is really interesting for visitors.
Industrial tourism in Kawasaki, Japan
Kawasaki EcoLife Museum for the Future – visit here to learn about global warming and renewable energy.
Toshiba Science Museum – visit this museum to explore the history and future of science and technology. The Discover Kawasaki website states that the museum is divided into 3 zones: the History Zone allows you to look back at the progress Toshiba has made, the Science Zone introduces you to science and technology, and the Future Zone reveals the latest cutting-edge technology.
Kawasaki Mari-en – this is the port of Kawasaki, an important location for industry and industrial tourism. See 360-degree views of the harbor from the observation deck.
Ajinomoto Umami Science Square – visit this site to view historical materials and resources about Ajinomoto, complete with an interactive room where you can create your own Ajinomoto, as well as an Umami Hall where you can experience the taste of umami.
Indonesian Coffee Gallery, Takengon, Aceh
This tourist destination is interesting to visit. Unlike coffee shops in general, here visitors can feel the sensation of drinking coffee directly in the middle of a coffee plantation. The coffee shop itself is named Galeri Kopi Indonesia. This shop in the middle of a coffee plantation was built with wooden construction to depict the atmosphere of a traditional coffee shop. Apart from coffee, visitors can also order various food menus while enjoying views of the coffee plantations in the Gayo highlands. Arabica coffee from Gayo is known for its quality both at home and abroad. Apart from taking a walk to enjoy the view of the coffee plantations, you can also visit the Coffee Harvest Festival event which is held every year.
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