Why Heritage Matters: The Foundation of Great Visit Experiences

Featuring Jake Wynn, senior marketing manager at Visit Frederick, MD and public historian at Wynning History History, culture, and authentic local stories are among the most powerful assets a community possesses. They shape a sense of place, create memorable visitor experiences, and help destinations stand out in an increasingly competitive tourism landscape. Join us for a conversation with Jake Wynn, a destination marketing professional and lifelong history enthusiast who has worked on both sides of the tourism and museum worlds. Together, we'll explore why heritage matters, how it shapes visitor experiences, and why collaboration among museums, tourism organizations, and community partners is essential to telling stronger stories and building stronger destinations. Sign up for our list to be notified of upcoming Heritage Tourism Conversations: https://heritage-tourism-studio.kit.c... 0:00 Welcome & why I started this series 4:03 What a DMO does and Jake's path from museums to tourism 11:39 Connecting partners: consortiums, byways & supporting small sites 26:26 Understanding visitors: data & the non-linear heritage journey 34:08 Reaching new audiences: living history, Gen Z & America's 250th 48:52 AI, niche content & owning your story