Motivated by a desire to experience the authentic natural, historic and cultural resources of a community or region, heritage tourism has evolved into one of the fastest growing segments of the travel market and has become the impetus behind economic development efforts for rural and metropolitan areas statewide.
The mission of the Tourism Development Officers located across the state is to support sustainable efforts to protect, preserve and promote the state’s natural, historic and cultural resources. Development Officers serve as liaisons with local communities to develop tourism across the state.
Tourism Development Themes
The themes for development range from African-American and Colonial to Military and Food. It encompasses everything that makes North Carolina what it is to where it is, tracing the past and progressing to the future. Programs and events supported by the Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development include the Blue Ridge Parkway National Heritage Area and the upcoming Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary in 2010 (http://www.blueridgeparkway75.org/) and the North Carolina Civil War Trails and the upcoming Civil War 150th Commemoration from 2011-2015 (http://cwar.nps.gov/civilwar/).
Click here for a full list of 
Tourism Development Themes.
Programs
- Product evaluation and technical assistance services are offered to organizations statewide that are attempting to enhance or develop their heritage tourism resources. The program director reviews all proposals and determines the Division's involvement based upon the current availability of staff and resources.
- The Tourism Matching Funds grant program aids local communities and non-profit tourism organizations with local and regional tourism marketing and development projects. Visit the grants page for more information.
- The Civil War Trails project is funded through a $1.1 million federal
Transportation Enhancements grant. The monies are being used to develop and install historical markers to interpret campaign sites and corridors of the Civil War. The Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development is partnering with the N.C .Department of Transportation and the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources to implement the trails.
- Local communities are providing $275,000 in local funds to match the federal dollars (4 to 1 match). Each marker will cost $5,500; communities will pay $1,100 per sign matched by $4400 provided through the grant. The Division expects to install around 200 markers using these funds. For complete program details view the online presentation listed in the resources below.
Resources