Industrial tourism is a growing part of the tourism industry- but what is it, and why is it becoming so popular? This article explains, with examples of industrial tourism from around the world.
- What is industrial tourism?
- Examples of industrial tourism
- Why has industrial tourism grown in popularity?
- Benefits of industrial tourism
- Disadvantages of industrial tourism
- Industrial tourism destinations
- Industrial tourism at the umbrella factory Chiang Mai
- Industrial tourism at the tea Plantations, Sri Lanka
- Industrial tourism at the Britannia Mine, Canada
- Industrial tourism at Kawasaki, Japan
- Industrial tourism at the Airbus factory, France
- Industrial tourism at the Bataan Power plant, Philippines
- Industrial tourism at Balaklava submarine base, Ukraine
- Industrial tourism at the BMW plant in Munich, Germany
- Industrial tourism- further reading
What is industrial tourism?
Industrial tourism is the concept of visiting places linked to the industries that are most common in a particular place. It commonly involves:
- Visits to operational companies and industrial heritage
- Experiences focused on specific products
- Learning about and seeing the production process
- Teaching tourists about the history and background of that particular industry
Industrial tourism is not a new type of tourism, and it happens across the globe where different industries have existed for centuries. People might visit traditional sites, or more modern places. The most popular sites are linked to branded luxury goods, food and drink, symbols of particular regions (such as bananas in Guatemala) and handcrafted goods.
According to Frew (2000), industrial tourism occurs when a tourist visits an operational site(s), where the core activity of the site is non-tourism oriented. In other words, it is when tourists visit a site that is associated with an industry other than tourism. Many people believe that this is limited to manufacturing, but in fact industrial tourism can relate to any organisation or business that opens its doors to tourists.
Industrial tourism is a great example of educational tourism, because it often revolves around learning about a particular industry or organisation.
Video: What is industrial tourism?
Examples of industrial tourism
Examples of industrial tourism comes in different shapes and sizes around the world, but they generally all rely on the premise of visiting an attraction that is focussed on a particular industry. Here are some examples of industrial tourism:
- Work watching
- Factory tours
- Mine tours
- Farm tours
- Wine tours
- Parliament tours
- Tours of specific company premises (e.g. Ford)
- Factory visits by business tourists
Why has industrial tourism grown in popularity?
Industrial tourism is growing ever-popular. This is for a few reasons. One reason is that people in general are stepping away from traditional ‘vacation’ travel – we are less likely to want to spend time lazing by a pool or tanning on a beach, and more likely to want to get to know a destination a little deeper. This comes as information becomes more accessible; when we see photos, read blogs or watch documentaries about industries in certain cities or countries, we are more likely to want to see it for ourselves.
It also becomes more popular as tourist boards and individual companies push it. For some countries who have an industry or type of product which is specific to them, they may be inclined to present this as a tourist activity or opportunity. By doing so, they provide a boost to their economy.
This is especially true of industries that are no longer as necessary or popular as they might have been. With technology taking over the creation of many products, traditional industry techniques fall by the wayside. In order to capitalise on income the area may have lost by not getting as much business, places can invite tourists to see how things used to work instead. This is commonly seen in the agritourism industry, where farms are being used for tourism purposes as well as for traditional farming.
Another reason that industrial tourism is growing in popularity is that people are always looking for something new. As humans, new experiences are vital to us. Industrial tourism offers a different kind of experience from the more traditional churches, museums and walking tours.
Benefits of industrial tourism
There are many benefits of industrial tourism. One of the main benefits is education- industrial tourism can be fantastic for students or for anyone who wants to learn more about a particular industry, from touring a historic gold mine in Canada to visiting a tea plantation in Sri Lanka. Companies also benefit, as factory tours and visitor centres are a powerful marketing and brand-building tool.
Another key benefit of industrial tourism is money. Industrial tourism can help to boost the economy by bringing in money. Money can be made through entrance tickets, souvenirs and more. Plus, the tourists may spend more money in the area too on things such as hotels and food. This can then be reinvested into the economy.
Disadvantages of industrial tourism
However, there can also be disadvantages of industrial tourism. Sometimes there may be sensitive issues, such as poor human rights records, that can be difficult to address. This could make tourists feel uneasy and could upset locals too.
There is also the risk that industries may see more opportunity to make money from tourism than in their traditional lines of work. This can cause businesses to pivot away from their traditional methods of earning money and to move towards tourism. Whilst this can be a good move, over-dependency on tourism carries risks- as the COVID-19 pandemic showed, visitor numbers can collapse very suddenly.
Industrial tourism destinations
There are many destinations offering industrial tourism. From salt mines in Poland to blacksmiths’ forges in rural England, there are many options. In the UK and Ireland, popular examples include the Ironbridge Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution), Big Pit National Coal Museum in Wales, Cadbury World in Birmingham and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin- Ireland’s most visited paid attraction. Some other well-known industrial tourism destinations are outlined below.
Industrial tourism at the umbrella factory Chiang Mai
Located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Umbrella Making Centre in Bo Sang village is where visitors can see paper umbrellas, as well as handmade paper, being made by hand. The paper (known as saa paper) is made from the bark of the mulberry tree, and is used to make umbrellas, greeting cards, gift wrap, photo albums and bookmarks. The centre has a shop selling these products, and the village holds an annual umbrella festival each January.
It is not often that visitors get to see paper being made from scratch, which is why Bo Sang is a good example of industrial tourism. It is often visited as part of a handicraft tour of the villages around Chiang Mai.
Industrial tourism at the tea Plantations, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest tea exporters, and tea plantations are a major tourist attraction. Commercial tea growing began here in 1867 at the Loolecondera Estate, and today the central highlands around Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Ella are dotted with tea estates and factories offering tours that show the picking and processing of tea from start to finish. Responsible visitors are encouraged to choose estates that treat workers fairly, as tea pickers are among the most disadvantaged workers in Sri Lanka.
Industrial tourism at the Britannia Mine, Canada
Located in British Columbia, the Britannia Mine Museum is one of the best-known industrial tourism attractions in Canada. The museum is a non-profit organisation, which has preserved artefacts and information related to British Columbia’s history of mining. There are 23 buildings here, housing over 7000 artefacts, almost 10,000 photographs and around 3000 documents. Visitors can ride a train through a historic haulage tunnel, and see how historic mining and lighting equipment worked. Mining has always been an incredibly important industry, and the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into it.
Industrial tourism at Kawasaki, Japan
There are various industrial tourism spots in Kawasaki, Japan. These include:
- Kawasaki EcoLife Museum for the Future – head here to learn about global warming and renewable energy.
- Toshiba Science Museum – visit here to explore the history and future of science and technology. The Discover Kawasaki website says the museum is split into 3 zones: The History Zone allows you to look back over the progress that Toshiba has made, the Science Zone introduces you to science and technology, and the Future Zone reveals the latest in cutting-edge technology.
- Kawasaki Mari-en – this is Kawasaki’s port, an important location for industry and industrial tourism. See a 360-degree view of the port from the observation deck.
- Ajinomoto Umami Science Square – see historical materials and resources about Ajinomoto with an interactive room where you can create your own Ajinomoto and a Umami Hall where you can experience the taste of umami.
- Factory night views (kojo yakei) – evening boat and bus tours of Kawasaki’s illuminated industrial waterfront have become a popular tourist attraction in their own right.
Industrial tourism at the Airbus factory, France
Airbus has its headquarters in Toulouse, France, and visitors can tour its production site. Guided tours, run by Let’s Visit Airbus, show how aircraft such as the A350 are assembled, and can be combined with a visit to the nearby Aeroscopia aviation museum, which displays two Concorde aircraft. It is a popular example of hands-on industrial tourism, and tours for children are also available.
Industrial tourism at the Bataan Power plant, Philippines
The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was completed in 1984 under the Marcos regime but was never used. Guided tours, which have been offered since around 2011, take visitors through the turbine hall, the control room and the reactor building- a rare chance to see a nuclear reactor up close in a completely safe way, given that no nuclear fission ever took place here. The plant’s future is uncertain: in 2024 the Philippine government signed an agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to study whether it could be brought into operation.
Industrial tourism at Balaklava submarine base, Ukraine
Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 but is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine. Because of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, governments including the UK advise against all travel to Crimea. Before the conflict, the Balaklava Submarine Base was a popular example of industrial and military heritage tourism. Located near Balaklava Bay, this underground base was a top-secret Cold War military facility and is now a museum about naval warfare, submarines and the Cold War. The complex was designed to withstand a direct nuclear strike.
Industrial tourism at the BMW plant in Munich, Germany
People love to visit sites that make luxury goods, and BMW is a good example. In Munich, visitors can explore the BMW Welt brand experience centre and the BMW Museum, and take guided tours of the BMW plant, which has been producing vehicles since the 1920s and is being converted to build electric cars. If cars are your thing, this is industrial tourism at its best.
Industrial tourism: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about industrial tourism.
What is industrial tourism?
Industrial tourism involves visiting operational companies or industrial heritage sites to learn about how products are made and about the history of an industry. Examples include factory tours, mine tours, brewery and distillery tours, and visits to former industrial sites that have become museums.
What are some examples of industrial tourism?
Examples include the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Cadbury World in Birmingham, the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland, Airbus factory tours in Toulouse, BMW Welt and the BMW plant in Munich, tea plantation tours in Sri Lanka and the Ironbridge Gorge in England.
Why is industrial tourism growing?
Industrial tourism is growing because many tourists want authentic, educational experiences rather than traditional sun-and-sea holidays. Companies and tourist boards also promote it as a way to build brands, diversify income and give new life to declining industrial areas.
What are the benefits of industrial tourism?
The main benefits are education, extra income for businesses and destinations, the preservation of industrial heritage and the regeneration of former industrial areas. It can also strengthen brand loyalty for the companies involved.
What are the disadvantages of industrial tourism?
Disadvantages can include health and safety risks, sensitive issues such as poor working conditions, disruption to normal operations, and the risk of businesses becoming over-dependent on tourism income.
Industrial tourism- further reading
If you found this article on industrial tourism useful, you may also find these articles helpful-
- What is red tourism and why is it growing so fast?
- What is smart tourism and why is it so BIG?
- Religious tourism- what is it and how does it work?
- What is adventure tourism and why is it so big?
- What is business tourism and why is it so big?
- What is wine tourism?
- What is agritourism?
- Educational tourism explained
