Ohio Web site locates Underground Railroad sites

CINCINNATI -- Ohio's Division of Tourism has joined the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in promoting Underground Railroad sites around the state.

The Web site http://www.passagetofreedomohio.com and a series of kiosks to be placed around Ohio will help people plan tours of Underground Railroad locations.

"Passage to Freedom is the first step in what we eventually hope will be a nationwide tourism promotion effort for Underground Railroad historic sites," said Donald Murphy, chief executive of the Freedom Center.

The first three kiosks will be in Oberlin, Zanesville and Ripley, and three more sites are to be added later this year. They will have downloadable maps listing attractions, restaurants, lodging and regional points of interest.

Travel to heritage sites, sometimes called cultural tourism, is a fast-growing segment of the travel industry, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. At least 35 million adults say they plan vacations around cultural or heritage activities.