News

Can art revitalise regional tourism after the bushfires?

The Australia Council’s latest research shows arts experiences are a key driver for tourism, particularly to regional Australia.

19 Feb 2020

Richard Watts

Performing Arts

The Big Red Bash Festival in Birdsville, on the edge of the Simpson Desert in Outback Queensland, is the world’s most remote music festival. Image credit: The Big Red Bash

The latest research from the Australia Council suggests the arts might play a key role in bushfire recovery, with a new report demonstrating that cultural tourism is strengthening the regions and supporting local economies.

Domestic Arts Tourism: Connecting the Country draws on Tourism Research Australia data and additional resources to provide insights into the behaviour of people travelling within Australia.

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

Join Now Login

Richard Watts

Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts