180 The Big Pit National Coal Museum in Wales represents a model of operational preservation and experiential tourism (Coupland, 2012). This coal mine, which operated until 1980, was acquired by the local government and converted into a museum by a charitable trust. Its main attraction is an underground tour led by former miners, who bring authenticity and “living history” to the experience. Table 3 lists the cases mentioned, their revitalization models, and their most notable results Table 3 – Tourism conversion projects in Europe and the United Kingdom Project Name Countr y Closur e of Operati ons Conversion Model Key Stakeholders Main Results Zollver ein Comple x Germa ny 198 6 Multifuncti onal conversion Foundati on, Compani es, State 2,780 jobs, World Heritage Site, business incubator. Leipzig Lake District Germa ny 197 0s199 0s State-led macrorehabilitati on State, investors Transformation of a vast mining area into a sustainable tourism destination. Big Pit Nationa l Coal Museu m Wales (Unite d Kingd om) 198 0 Operational preservatio n Local governm ent, Charitabl e trust Authentic experience with former miners as guides, preservation of industrial heritage. It should be noted that there are other countries such as Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Poland, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, among others, which, together with Spain, currently make this part of the world the one with the highest number of mining parks and museums (Cenzano, 2007). However, in countries on other continents, such as Korea and Japan, several mine museums have been established, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. 4.4. North America: Public Space Projects In the United States, the Pikeview Quarry Rehabilitation Project in Colorado demonstrates how a limestone quarry once considered a “scar” on the community can be transformed into a recreational asset through ecological restoration, native species, and infrastructure for cycling, hiking, and recreation (Herschbach, 2018). Other examples include the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in West Virginia, where visitors enter a recreated mine tunnel, and the World Museum of Mining in Butte, Montana, which preserves mining facilities and
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