Resumen de Niche strategies for small regional cities: a case study of the Bendigo Chinese Heritage Precint Plan
Fiona Wheeler, Kleir Reeves, Jennifer H. Laing, Warwick Frost
Mich of the focus of destination planning research to date ha. b,^rn un mayor cities. utter With puPulations Of one million or more. There is however a growing emphasis on planning for the sustainable development of cities outside the larger metropolitan hubs, with a view to attracting tourists and building liveable communities. The challenge for these regional places is to reinvent themselves and create new destination images, while maintaining a high quality of life for residents. The case study of Bendigo tan inland regional city in central Victoria, Australia, with a population of nearl 100,000) illustrates some of the issues that these destinations need to grapple with in connection With tourism planning. The discovery of a Chinese kiln dating back to the gold rushes of the 19th century became a catalyst for the local government council to develop a marketing and interpretation plan for a Chinese Heritage Precinct, encompassing various heritage assets with a Chinese association. This case study examines both the process and outcomes of this strategic plan. 'the article highlights the need for planning processes that emphasize the importance of engaging with a diverse group of stakeholders, including government, community organizations and private interests, to gain their input into and support of the process. It also explores the benefits of using an external research team to assist the destination with gaining a deeper understanding of its tourism potential, including key markets and prioritization of limited resources for tourism development.
