The information & links contained in this article were published in 2022 and may no longer be current. We recommend checking the following sections for more recent content - Cultural Tourism
Destination NSW has identified cultural tourism as a significant market segment. A summary of relevant data for the whole State as at December 2017 including regional areas across both domestic and international tourists can be found at
It is important to note that Destination NSW uses the restrictive definition of cultural tourism:
“Cultural tourism is a niche market segment with a focus on heritage and the arts. It includes activities such as going to the theatre, attending concerts, visiting an art show and watching an Aboriginal performance”
Arts Mid North Coast prefers a broader definition such as:
“Cultural tourism embraces a portfolio of information, experiences and activities that visitors can undertake to understand what makes a destination distinctive. It provides visitors with an opportunity to understand the essential character and culture of a place: its spirit, identity, values, diversity, traditions and sense of place… Cultural tourism activities can include meeting local people, visiting local attractions or attending arts and cultural venues and events. These activities need to authentic, informed quality experiences to successfully interpret what is unique and special about a place.“