---
title: Tourism
date: 2025-10-13T05:29:53Z
modified: 2025-11-21T12:19:18Z
permalink: "https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/report/5th-edition/sustainable-tourism-in-global-cities/"
type: report
status: publish
excerpt: Many cities are leveraging cultural tourism and programming to showcase the full diversity of their city and heritage on both the local and global stages.
wpid: 174106
featured_image: "https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Tourists-in-the-Louvre-Museum-Paris-C-Unsplash-photo-by-Alicia-Steels-scaled.jpg"
featured_image_alt: Tourists in the Louvre Museum Paris
---

# Cities Supporting Sustainable Global Tourism

_Based on insights from the World Cities Culture Report Survey and City Projects_



![Temple of Heaven, Beijing ](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Temple-of-Heaven-Beijing-C-Unsplash-photo-by-Nick-Fewings-684x1024.jpg)

Temple of Heaven, Beijing © Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash





Culture is a key driver of tourism, with cities around the world offering cultural initiatives to shape distinctive visitor experiences. As post-pandemic tourism rebounds, more cities are placing sustainability at the heart of their cultural tourism strategies. 66% of our cities, including **Paris** and **Zurich,** see sustainable tourism as a key priority. Tourism plays a vital role in urban economies but as visitor numbers grow, cities are increasingly aware of the pressures tourism places on local ecosystems, infrastructure and communities.

![Tourists in the Louvre Museum Paris](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Tourists-in-the-Louvre-Museum-Paris-C-Unsplash-photo-by-Alicia-Steels-1024x681.jpg)

Tourists in the Louvre Museum, Paris © Photo by Alicia Steels on UnsplashOvertourism is a concern in 18% of our cities, especially in Europe where space is limited and infrastructure is under pressure. In response, cities like **Barcelona** have capped short-term holiday rentals and promoted off-peak travel.

Many cities are leveraging cultural tourism and programming to showcase the full diversity of their city and heritage on both the local and global stages. In **Helsinki**, the city-wide _Helsinki Biennial_, staged across parks, neighbourhoods and the city’s 300 islands, is transforming Helsinki’s international image as a cultural destination while distributing tourism investment more evenly. In **Beijing**, the _International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage_ and a new cultural experience centre promote Chinese cultural heritage and global exchange. **Guangzhou**’s vibrant Flower Market links tradition and innovation, activating the night-time economy in the city and reinforcing cultural tourism. **Jakarta**’s _Cultural Village_ initiative preserves Betawi heritage through community-led tourism and participatory cultural policymaking. As part of our _African Alternatives_ research, 12 policymakers from cities including **Lagos** and **Kigali**, ranked cultural tourism as one of their top five policy drivers [(World Cities Culture Forum, 2024)](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/publication/african-alternatives-the-future-of-creative-cities/).

![Guided tour in Barcelona ](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Guided-tour-in-Barcelona-C-Unsplash-photo-by-Ave-Calvar-1024x683.jpg)

Guided tour in Barcelona © Photo by Ave Calvar on UnsplashCulture is a source of identity and inclusive development, with tourism providing a platform for storytelling and a way of sharing cultural heritage. Domestic as well as international tourism plays a vital role in urban economies. One of the most promising trends across our cities is the use of tourism-generated revenue to fund cultural infrastructure and programming. **Edinburgh** to **San Francisco** are amongst the 27% of our cities to have a tourism tax in place and are demonstrating its potential to support culture. At least two other member cities are developing tax proposals. In **Austin,** hotel occupancy taxes fund cultural programmes and also support venue maintenance and staffing. **Montréal** channels approximately $9 million (CAD) of tourist taxes revenue annually into festivals, exhibitions and public events. These examples show how well-designed tourism levies can help to diversify funding models and increase support for culture.

**As tourism numbers rise, cities are increasingly recognising the importance of managing growth responsibly. Cities must ensure tourism supports economic, social and environmental sustainability, by placing community, creativity, and long-term planning at its core.**

[](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=report)