Conceptualising Self-Learning to Deliver Successful Events in Built Heritage Settings

In the UK museums (29%), gardens (38%) and historic buildings (27%) are the most visited attractions, yet admissions revenue is often insufficient for operational costs and long-term repair and investment costs. With the UK events sector worth £42.3 billion annually historic buildings are in a unique position to use events to generate income and raise awareness. However, the management of events within the heritage setting is complex, contextually informed and contested by stakeholders while operators manage the competing issues of conservation, access and revenue generation. Through ten detailed semi-structured interviews this study explores the way in which knowledge is gathered and embedded to professionalise event management practices within the heritage tourism sector. Building on the work of Garvin (1993) and Brine & Feather (2010) a model is evolved to explain how knowledge is gained, embedded and shared across the heritage sector.