INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY

Museums and Tourism: Sustainable Cultural Tourism is the focus on May18.

On or around 18 May 2009, thousands of museums on all continents will be celebrating ethical, responsible, sustainable tourism, showing how heritage can bring tourists and local communities together in new, mutually beneficial relationships. The theme continues throughout 2009.

The South African National Committee (ICOM-SA) of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) celebrates this year with an ongoing project: the launch of an interactive map of museum and heritage sites throughout South Africa. The map at http://www.icom-sa.org.za will continually be updated and will provide a vital resource for spreading knowledge about our heritage to young and old, tourists and local communities.

ICOM created International Museum Day (IMD) in 1977 to encourage awareness about the role of museums in the development of society. IMD has grown ever since, with more than 20,000 museums in 90 countries from Australia to Zimbabwe taking part in 2008. International Museum Day offers an occasion to unite museums and communities around the world. Heritage is our shared identity, and IMD focuses on how museums can foster new relationships with local communities.

The theme Museums and Tourism encourages museum professionals and volunteers to work together with local visitors and foreign tourists, creating interactions with local communities in order to experience heritage both inside and outside of the museum walls.

Further information: ICOM-SA Office, on 021 461 2315, email: dmpgertenbach@telkomsa.net or visit www.icom-sa.org.za