Churches Tourism Association

More than 120 delegates came from faith backgrounds as well as the tourism sector and local authorities to attend the 2008 Churches Tourism Association Conference at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire.

Read Becky Payne's concise report on the proceedings, below.

• “Open the door and welcome visitors to experience a “Glimpse of Heaven”!
• Think of our churches as one of the strongest cards we have to interest local and international visitors – most no longer churchgoers – in why our building, their contents and our faith is fascinating in itself, and think creatively about the stories of events and people associated with the church and its graveyard!
• Build local volunteer support throughout and then shout to local tourism bodies to get the message out and across that, for families and others, a day out to a town or village, taking in other attractions, would be incomplete without a visit to a church! For there, people can relax from daily pressures to experience and enjoy the special quality of spiritual places.

• Simple and inexpensive or free opportunities to get churches on tourism websites were recommended.
• Research the views of visitors and trumpet the economic benefits of Church Tourism as visitors spend a day in local communities, churches, restaurants and shops!”

These were some of the issues debated by delegates.

Christopher Martin, an accomplished film director shared stunning footage from his Glimpses of Heaven book and DVD, (made possible with support from English Heritage). Demand for this outstanding publication has already exceeded expectations, suggesting the story and heritage of the Catholic churches has been largely untold with a general public largely unaware of what lies inside buildings that are normally passed by without a second thought.

Though often in their infancy, the positive steps being taken to open up churches around the country were applauded by Andrew Ramsay, Director General, Partnerships and Programmes from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport speaking on behalf of Andy Burnham, Secretary of State, who was called away to a certain budget statement! Andrew encouraged us to learn from the wider heritage sector on ways to attract, engage and inform visitors, without proselytising. He highlighted the potential of the forthcoming Olympics in 2012 to attract visitors to churches – perhaps to learn about the local association of sportsmen and women from the past who lie buried and often forgotten in graveyards. Government support for churches in various forms was also discussed.

Harriet Crabtree OBE, Director of the Interfaith network encouraged delegates to engage with Government policy documents like “Face to Face Side by Side” since churches can play an enormous part in building strong communities where other Faiths are brought into local partnerships and initiatives. The engagement of all faiths in community initiatives has been transformed from isolation to full participation in recent years.

One such is Leicester was described by Riaz Ravat who recently led an accredited training course for Faith Guides attracting 15 individuals from 7 different faiths and 9 different places of worship. The initiative has been short-listed for a national award.

While the churches themselves are one of our strongest cards to attract visitors (who may become pilgrims), it remains the case that many are still locked up and inaccessible without prior arrangements which can sometimes prove difficult. At the same time, delegates heard of initiatives that have led to 80% of churches being open on a regular and locally agreed and achievable basis through trained volunteers.

Westminster Cathedral was commended as a place where visitors are welcome and find the experience fascinating. Later, a party of delegates paid visits to St. Mary`s Catholic Church in Derby as well as the city`s Guru Arjan Gurdwara.

Among the sponsors of the conference was Ecclesiastical Insurance Ltd. who can evidence the fact that churches left open seem to experience less theft and damage to those that are locked up and become targets for vandals.

In his summary, the Chairman of the Churches Tourism Association, Canon John Brown, told delegates “Our Association exists to help churches develop the visitor `welcome` experience and you can find out more by visiting our website which is packed with resources and ideas!”

Convention presentations can be found in the Document Library, and more will be added shortly (where available), so please call again soon.