Tourism Potentials in American Middle-Sized Cities: The Case of Wilmington, Delaware, and Albany, New York

Abstract

Abstract Tourism in small American cities is often problematic. Many do not have the images and attractions to lure tourists. This is particularly true for cities with myopic local politics, crumbling infrastructures and unstable demographics. Lacking an alternative economic development plan, tourism has become a possibility if not an imperative. Often such cities are slow to realize the possibilities of a tourist-oriented future. This paper analyses the tourism potential of two relatively small cities, Willington, Delaware, and Albany, New York. Using interviews of city leaders we assessed the readiness of these two cities for a tourism-based economy.