6 Great Historical Site Businesses

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The Growing Industry

If you're looking for a new venture, maybe it's time to brush up on your history. Historical sites are an often-overlooked niche in the hospitality sector—and are potentially rich with profits. Walking tours, cruises, and natural geological formations are increasingly popular with budget-conscious tourists. AnythingResearch.com reports the industry grew by 16 percent over last year. LeeAnn Donnelly, a spokesperson for the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, says historical tourism is a sound market: "I can say that, in general, smaller regional attractions have tended to do better as people have opted for less expensive, closer to home vacations, or 'staycations.'" Here are some exciting and profitable historical sites around the nation.