Larry Portzline, who created the concept of bookstore tourism and has
promoted it around the country for several years (see his Web site), is starting the National Council of Bookstore Tourism, a
nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. "Until now I've done it on my own," he
told Shelf Awareness. "It's time to take it to the next level."
Portzline has led a dozen tours of book lovers to several cities to visit bookstores and has inspired others to try it, most notably the Southern California Booksellers Association, which is conducting its third bookstore tour this coming Saturday. "There is so much interest," Portzline said. In addition to bookstores, he noted that tours can go to libraries and literary sites and authors can be involved.
Portzline emphasized the many advantages of bookstore tourism. "There is a huge economic development benefit to bookstore tourism," Portzline said. Areas with a strong tourist trade can easily add bookstores to the mix of attractions and help promote cultural heritage. There might be an educational angle, too: "High schools could do this," Portzline said.
An immediate goal of the foundation will be to apply for grants, possibly from the NEA, state arts organizations, agencies and others, which will commence when the articles of incorporation are accepted. Portzline also wants to create partnerships with appropriate groups, including bookstores, libraries, educators, publishers, the travel industry, cultural tourism organizations and economic development groups. The National Council of Bookstore Tourism will have a board, a kind of steering committee and advisory panel. So far, the board consists of:
Bookstore tourism has "no down side," Portzline said enthusiastically. And if all goes well, someday he would love to take the idea to an even higher level and organize a month-long bus trip to bookstores across the country. "Thirty stores in thirty days!" he said. "We could bring authors along and do events with them in stores."
Portzline has led a dozen tours of book lovers to several cities to visit bookstores and has inspired others to try it, most notably the Southern California Booksellers Association, which is conducting its third bookstore tour this coming Saturday. "There is so much interest," Portzline said. In addition to bookstores, he noted that tours can go to libraries and literary sites and authors can be involved.
Portzline emphasized the many advantages of bookstore tourism. "There is a huge economic development benefit to bookstore tourism," Portzline said. Areas with a strong tourist trade can easily add bookstores to the mix of attractions and help promote cultural heritage. There might be an educational angle, too: "High schools could do this," Portzline said.
An immediate goal of the foundation will be to apply for grants, possibly from the NEA, state arts organizations, agencies and others, which will commence when the articles of incorporation are accepted. Portzline also wants to create partnerships with appropriate groups, including bookstores, libraries, educators, publishers, the travel industry, cultural tourism organizations and economic development groups. The National Council of Bookstore Tourism will have a board, a kind of steering committee and advisory panel. So far, the board consists of:
- Cindy Dach, Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe, Ariz.
- George Eberhart, American Library Association
- Kevin McFadden, Virginia Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, Va.
- Donna Paz, Paz & Associates
- Len Vlahos, American Booksellers Association
Bookstore tourism has "no down side," Portzline said enthusiastically. And if all goes well, someday he would love to take the idea to an even higher level and organize a month-long bus trip to bookstores across the country. "Thirty stores in thirty days!" he said. "We could bring authors along and do events with them in stores."