A new report from the Australia Council has revealed that arts and culture play a major role in driving domestic tourism.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Paul Fletcher said the Council’s report Domestic Arts Tourism: Connecting the country had drawn on Tourism Research Australia data and other resources to provide insights into the behaviour of people travelling within Australia.
“Our vibrant creative sector is increasingly a drawcard for many Australians,” Mr Fletcher said.
“Whether taking daytrips to visit performances, workshops and exhibitions in their own regions, or heading further afield to attend larger festivals and events, the research shows Australians travelling to take part in the arts travel further, stay longer and spend more than other tourists.”
He said the research also showed that public interest in First Nations arts tourism was on the rise.
“Particularly in regional Australia and the Northern Territory,” Mr Fletcher said.
“It shows that tourists who went on overnight trips to experience First Nations art spent an average of $1,558 per visit,” he said.
“This is helping Indigenous Australians share their rich history and culture, and supports regional and remote communities and economies.”
Minister for Tourism, Senator Simon Birmingham said the report put a spotlight on the importance of art and cultural attractions in Australia’s economy.
“Vibrant cultural attractions form the centrepiece of Australia’s tourism offerings for both domestic and international visitors,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Cultural tourism is a significant drawcard, growing 23 per cent globally over the past five years and driving strong domestic visitation with Australians taking more that 25 million daytrips and overnight trips in 2018.”
