Arts and cultural tourism refers to travel experiences centred on creative life, heritage and cultural expression. This includes visiting galleries and museums, attending festivals and live performances, engaging in First Nations cultural experiences, exploring heritage places, public art,
literature, music, food culture and creative workshops.
What is this resource?
A set of tips, examples and opportunities to support arts and cultural tourism in NSW.
The resource has a particular focus on regional NSW.
Who is it for?
This resource is designed to be used by three key groups:
● Artists and cultural organisations
● Tourism operators and event organisers
● Enabling agencies and Councils
These sectors often work in different ‘silos’. This resource is about bringing them together and exploring how to work for mutual benefit.
What can I use it for?
● Get to know more about cultural tourism in section 1
● Skim the ‘quick tips’ in section 2 to get ideas
● Browse the examples in section 3 for inspiration
● Use the templates in workshops or planning days
● Share the resource with colleagues who might find it helpful
● Reference the resources, and the research report, in decision-making and investment
How to use it
● This interactive PDF is designed to help you move around the document, taking you quickly to sections that are most relevant and of interest
● The tabs at the top of each page jump to those main sections of the resource
BACKGROUND TO THIS TOOLKIT
In 2024, the NSW Regional Arts Network commissioned Patternmakers to undertake a new analysis of cultural tourism in regional NSW by arts researchers Patternmakers, funded through Create NSW. In light of the NSW Government’s focus on ‘experience tourism’, and greater coordination occurring between Destination NSW and Create NSW, this report provides insights into the scale of regional cultural tourism and opportunities to support its development.
The outcomes of this research is published here including the summary report for each RADO Network.
