De-industrialization and development of industrial heritage tourism:the actual process and development model of Ruhr in Germany

This paper studies the Ruhr area from the perspective of tourism. Some new concepts and ideas of industrial heritage tourism have been introduced to China's case for the first time. With the contextual introduction on de-industrialization of Ruhr since 1970s, industrial heritage tourism has played an effective role in the process of revitalization of Ruhr area in economic, cultural, social and environmental dimeusions. Main contents of this paper include a brief introduction on the original idea and practice of industrial archaeology and industrial heritage in Britain, the formation and acceptance process of industrial heritage tourism and the development modes of industrial heritage tourism in Ruhr area. Some issues and points attracting our attention in both research and practice for further discussion have also been put forward in this paper.