Re-interpreting the past to shape the future: The uses of memory discourses in community tourism development

Abstract

Ideas about collective memory are implicit in tourism development, even when development projects are primarily entertainment-oriented. This paper studies collective memory in the form of community creation myths associated with the transformation of two rural towns from seasonal tourism to casino gaming. Known for their contributions to Colorado mining history, Central City and Black Hawk adopted casino gambling in 1991. This paper presents data from a longitudinal study of creation myth discourses expressed by stakeholders across several decades. Data show that over time, spokespersons more frequently described a nostalgic yearning for earlier mining periods, though the content and form of discourses varied by commentator. Local residents made more emotional appeals, while local leaders’ and external entrepreneurs’ claims were more strategic. This study shows how memory is manipulated, especially during periods of rapid tourism growth, shedding light on under-studied aspects of social and cultural impacts of tourism development.