How an international partnership is reshaping heritage tourism—and what agencies can learn from it
In July 2025, Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI) announced the official formation of a Sister Byways partnership between the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission and the Scenic Byway Hokkaido Promotion Council in Japan.
This collaboration strengthens heritage experiences, deepens cross-cultural understanding, and promotes scenic byways as cultural and economic drivers in both regions.
From Idea To Agreement
The idea was first raised in May 2024, when a Hokkaido delegation proposed the partnership.
Colorado’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways highlight mountain passes, prairies, and historic routes. Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, has cultivated its Scenic Byway program for more than 20 years, linking communities with landscapes and heritage.
After years of exchanges, the two programs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 16, 2025, during Scenic Byway Hokkaido’s 20th anniversary celebration in Sapporo. A complementary celebration followed in Colorado, supported by the Japan America Society of Colorado, the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver, and the Japanese Art Network.
Two Celebrations, One Partnership
- Hokkaido, June 16, 2025: Colorado delegates joined Japanese counterparts in Sapporo to sign the MOU during Scenic Byway Hokkaido’s anniversary.
- Colorado, July 21, 2025: A celebration at the Golden Welcome Center featured speeches, the display of the signed MOU, and the Sister Byways Proclamation.
A kanpai toast sealed the partnership, followed by Taiko drumming and traditional Japanese music.
“We are thrilled to formalize this exciting partnership with Hokkaido. This is a unique opportunity to explore new ways to share the history of our regions,” says Lenore Bates, Colorado Byways Program Manager.
What The MOU Promises
The agreement is more than symbolic. It lays out concrete actions:
- Revitalize scenic byways through joint campaigns
- Exchange staff, volunteers, and community representatives
- Collaborate on interpretive programs, tours, and digital storytelling
- Sustain the partnership with guidelines and models for others
- Balance tourism growth with cultural and environmental stewardship.
Why It Matters To Parks And Rec Leaders
Scenic byways, like parks and trails, are multi-use assets that:
- Drive tourism and local economies
- Preserve cultural and natural heritage
- Foster community pride and identity
- Provide recreation and education.
This initiative shows how cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation can align, offering a framework that agencies everywhere can adapt.
Lessons For Other Jurisdictions
1. Start With Shared Values—Align on heritage, tourism, and community vitality.
2. Involve Intermediaries—Organizations like DCI and JASC can facilitate trust.
3. Put It In Writing—MOUs provide structure, goals, and accountability.
4. Celebrate Publicly—Ceremonies and cultural performances amplify impact.
5. Plan For Longevity—Build in sustainability to endure beyond leadership changes.
“Partnerships multiply impact. By working together, we gain more than the sum of our parts,” says Julie Chacon of Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.
Practical Steps For Agencies
For directors exploring similar initiatives, the following steps offer a roadmap:
- Map Stakeholders—Identify beneficiaries and contributors.
- Start Small—Pilot with virtual exchanges or webinars.
- Draft An Agreement—Even short MOUs build accountability.
- Host Reciprocal Events—Share ceremonies equally.
- Promote Widely—Media, proclamations, and social campaigns boost visibility.
- Evaluate And Adapt—Reflect on progress and adjust.
Broader Implications For Heritage Tourism
The Sister Byways program reflects a larger movement focused on using place-based infrastructure—parks, trails, byways, etc.—as platforms for collaboration.
Byways are uniquely powerful: they are transportation routes, tourism destinations, and storytelling platforms that unite communities, nonprofits, and businesses.
By formalizing this partnership, Colorado and Hokkaido are elevating byways as vehicles for both tourism and cultural diplomacy.
Looking Ahead
Though still new, the initiative is already sparking plans for reciprocal site visits, digital projects, and joint marketing campaigns.
The precedent is important: if a state byways commission can partner internationally, why not trail networks or historic districts that share roots?
The model is adaptable, scalable, and rooted in shared values. For parks and recreation leaders, the message is clear: partnerships expand impact. By reaching across borders, we not only preserve the past but also build a richer, more connected future.