On the heels of the UNESCO World Heritage designation, the Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites has announced a new tourism planning initiative.

On Aug. 4 Historic Bethlehem officials revealed that they are engaging PlaceEconomics to conduct a study in order to determine what improvements can be made to the historic district and how those enhancements can grow the impact of tourism.

HBMS chairwoman Colleen Gilbert says, “we need to insure that we can deliver the best possible experience.”

Board treasurer Larry Eighty says PlaceEconomics will research and provide analysis to develop policy and provide technical assistance.

Some work on physical improvements is already completed or underway with the renovations to the Grist Miller’s House completed and restoration at the Tannery to begin soon in the Colonial Industrial Quarter along the Monocacy Creek. The study covers the twenty acres and 20 buildings that HBMS “cares for.”

PlaceEconomics will research and investigate how a more cohesive historic sites visitation experience can be implemented to insure that when people visit they will feel welcome.

The economic analysis is the first step of two with a second to make implementation recommendations. PlaceEconomics will complete their research in the fall.

PlaceEconomics principal and CEO Donovan Rypkema says the firm works in both the USA and internationally. “We’ll be measuring the economic impact incrementally,” says Rypkema. “The draw of the sites impacts jobs (in the community), labor jobs, taxes and its impact on the community,” he adds.

Historic Bethlehem president and CEO Loriann Wukitsch says they “cast the net wide” to form a Master Planning Initiative Advisory Council. Representatives from businesses, government, education, transportation, economic development, historic, tourism, the arts and residents will meet monthly and take field trips to other areas with historic successes.

Rypkema says, “being competitive is not being like your competition, but rather because you’re being different.” What you have in Bethlehem is “a real asset and it’s integrated into the best downtown in America. It really is unique.”