New Zealand rail trails : heritage tourism attractions and rural communities

Around the world, abandoned railways are being converted into rail trails, resulting in a range of economic and social benefits for visitors and communities alike. A major catalyst for this process and for the ample provision of these trails has been the social movement initiated by the non-profit American organization Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, established in 1986 with the explicit goal of 'working with communities to preserve unused rail corridors by transforming them into trails' where people can engage in various recreational activities (Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2012). Similar groups have been created in other countries and have been relatively successful in establishing a range of trails on abandoned or inoperative railway lines. A notable contribution from this alternative use of railway lines is the preservation of heritage, which may in turn result in increased cohesion among rural communities. Although presenting a much younger history than their counterparts in North America and Europe, rail trails in New Zealand are exemplary in their development, being dedicated to preserving as much of the original railway infrastructure as possible and thus providing an experience that visitors may label as authentic. This chapter presents the Otago Central Rail Trail (OCRT) as a case study and provides evidence of the tourism potential that this rail trail embodies.