---
title: Tourism
type: taxonomy_archive
taxonomy: topic
slug: tourism
term_id: 61
permalink: "https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/topic/tourism/"
post_count: 29
---

# Tourism

Posts in this archive: 29

- [More Regional Trends](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/report/regional-cultural-policy-trends.md) — From Indigenous knowledge in Australasia to digital innovation in East Asia, cities are using culture to shape more inclusive, sustainable, and creative futures. Drawing on recent survey data and case study submissions from our cities, this section offers a snapshot of emerging cultural policy trends across regions.  While each region has its own distinctive priorities, common themes such as access to space, climate action, youth engagement, and equity, highlight the extent to which all major cities share similar challenges in defining tomorrow’s cultural landscape.
- [Night-time Economy](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/report/night-time-economy.md) — From Melbourne to Montréal, cities are recognising that what happens after dark is an integral part of their identity, culture and economy.
- [Introduction and Key Findings ](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/report/introduction-to-world-cities-culture-report.md) — Culture is emerging as the defining force of resilient cities, driving identity, wellbeing, and economic vitality in the face of global instability, from climate change to technological disruption. Data from the World Cities Culture Report shows cultural participation and creative industries are rebounding after the pandemic, but unevenly—highlighting the urgent need for sustainable tourism, affordable workspaces, and inclusive cultural policies.
- [Ancient Made New: Beijing’s Intangible Cultural Heritage is at the heart of global exchange and tourism boost](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/beijing-intangible-cultural-heritage-policy-2.md) — Beijing is home to 447 intangible cultural heritage projects. Thirteen – including silk weaving, tea etiquette and shadow puppetry – are on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the most in China. Leveraging these unique cultural assets, Beijing launched the first International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023;and opened the Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Centre in 2024. Both have enabled Beijing to increase public engagement and boost inbound tourism.
- [Urban Renewal: Beijing’s cultural strategy transformed former industrial site into thriving Shougang Park ](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/shougang-park-urban-renewal-2.md) — On the outskirts of the capital, Beijing’s cultural strategy has transformed a vast 863 hectares steel production site into a unique visitor destination, positioning Shougang Park as a model for urban development, and industrial heritage revitalisation. By capitalising on the 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing repurposed Shougang Park’s industry structures – like blast furnaces and cooling towers – into thriving ecological, cultural and recreational spaces that boosted tourism and the night time economy.
- [Inclusive Public Art: How Helsinki’s Biennales are making art accessible in the city and its islands ](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/helsinki-biennial.md) — Since 2021, Helsinki Biennial has been held all around the city and its 300 islands. This cultural festival by the City of Helsinki embodies their ambitious cultural vision to develop the city’s art scene through inclusive public art; and combine art with the beauty of Helsinki’s natural spaces and islands. 2025 will mark the Helsinki Biennial’s third edition, attracting new visitors to the city and boosting the local economy.
- [Digital Heritage: How Nanjing enriched its City of Literature heritage with digital technology](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/revitalising-nanjing-city-of-literature-heritage-with-digital-innovation.md) — Nanjing, with its 1,800-year literary heritage, transformed its cultural narrative through digital innovation. By leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality, the City of Literature’s heritage has been enriched. The network of over 1,000 QR codes on cultural landmarks has generated more than 40 curated literary routes, provided infrastructure for over 100 cultural and tourism enterprises, and enhanced smart tourism services across the city.
- [Tourism Tax: How San Francisco leverages its hotel tax to fund the arts](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/san-francisco-hotel-tax-arts-culture-funding.md) — Launched in 2018, San Francisco’s Proposition E law redirects a portion of the city’s hotel tax to directly fund arts and culture. This voter-backed initiative created a virtuous circle: since 2023 marketing San Francisco as a vibrant cultural destination attracted more culturally engaged visitors who contribute to the hotel tax. In turn, this revenue sustains cultural programming, fosters equity, and strengthens the city’s identity as a global creative capital.
- [Barcelona's Creative Factories Fàbriques de Creació](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/barcelona-fabriques-de-creacio-creative-factories.md) — The Fàbriques de Creació (Creative Factories) programme is a pioneering initiative of the Barcelona City Council’s Department of Culture (ICUB). Since 2007, it has transformed over 11 disused industrial buildings into 30,000 m² of inclusive, affordable and multidisciplinary spaces for artistic creation, research, production, and public presentation
- [Tourism Tax: Edinburgh is introducing the UK’s first Visitor Levy](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/edinburgh-visitor-levy.md) — From July 2026, Edinburgh will introduce the UK’s first Visitor Levy, generating sustainable funding for culture, heritage, infrastructure, and community wellbeing while promoting responsible tourism and strengthening the city’s global cultural leadership.
- [Trends](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city/trends.md)
- [How is San Francisco using tourism tax to boost arts and culture?](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/how-is-san-francisco-using-a-tourism-tax-to-boost-arts-and-culture.md) — San Francisco is a global “bucket list” destination and one of the top five tourism destinations in the U.S. Historically, the city has drawn tens of millions of visitors annually and has been a favourite location for business conventions.
- [CULTURAL OLYMPIAD - A TALE OF TWO CITIES](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/event/cultural-olympiad-a-tale-of-two-cities.md) — In this webinar, cultural leaders involved in organising cultural olympiads at the previous Olympics in London, Tokyo and Sydney share their learnings with future hosts – Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028.
- [How São Paulo’s carnival is boosting its creative economy](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/how-sao-paulos-carnival-is-boosting-its-creative-economy.md) — Historically, São Paulo’s identity has centred on the image of a cosmopolitan city, characterized by industry, speed, work and progress. It is still Brazil’s most vibrant financial centre, and is among the world’s most populous cities, with numerous cultural institutions and a rich architectural tradition. But the Secretariat of Culture has been leading a cultural revolution.
- [Nanjing blends culture, business and tourism in its theatre revival](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/nanjing-blends-culture-business-and-tourism-in-its-theatre-revival.md) — Nanjing aims to strengthen its cultural landscape by creating and renovating not-for-profit studio theater spaces across the city. The objective is to build a stronger theater brand, encourage cultural integration, and promote the synergy of culture, business, and tourism.
- [Nanjing transforms its literary legacy into a modern marvel](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/nanjing-transforms-its-literary-legacy-into-a-modern-marvel.md) — Nanjing was formerly the home of China's oldest literary museum and aims to capitalize on this aspect of its history, using it as a foundation for local and tourist engagement.
- [How Guangzhou Cultural Industry Fair has transformed the city's creative landscape](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/guangzhou-cultural-industry-fair.md) — Guangzhou is focused on building its international reputation and strengthening its vibrant creative industries. Since 2017, it has hosted the Guangzhou Cultural Industry Fair, integrating existing resources and promoting high quality cultural projects and products.
- [The resurgence of London: 'Let's do London' and its remarkable impact](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/lets-do-london.md) — The Mayor of London launched the ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign targeting Londoners, domestic day trippers and overnight stays. The aim was to inspire confidence, increase consumer spend Iand bring people back to experience London’s leisure, retail and culture to drive recovery.
- [İstanbul's historical gem: Beyoğlu culture route raises awareness of city heritage](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/istanbul-beyoglu-culture-route.md) — The Beyoğlu Culture Route, developed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is a major project that aims to highlight and share Turkey’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage with future generations.
- [Sydney's bold al fresco programme pays off: culture thrives in the open air](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/sydney-al-fresco-city.md) — The state government held a Summer Summit with the City of Sydney and other stakeholders to discuss ideas to re-ignite Sydney’s economy and encourage more people to visit, eat, shop and enjoy the city centre. The result was the Al Fresco City programme.
- [Public art with purpose: Toronto's art strategy takes inclusivity to the streets](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/toronto-public-art-strategy.md) — Toronto has more than 1,500 works of public art, which have been integral to community development, civic engagement, and urban design. Yet, despite the strengths of the collection, issues exist with gaps in representation, geographic distribution of the works, and its accessibility to the public, including the need for better interpretation.
- [Tech meets culture in Chengdu: how an app is changing the game in cultural tourism](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/you-chengdu-creating-a-flagship-cultural-app.md) — A mobile app is increasing audience engagement with cultural offerings in Chengdu, particularly for younger audiences and those living in rural areas close to the city.
- [Acknowledging a shared past: Sydney's Eora Journey unveiled](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/yananurala-walking-on-country.md) — Aboriginal people have faced significant injustices and their culture often dismissed. Sydney's Yananurala initiative to recognise First Nations Australians in public art and the public domain.
- [Street symphonies and art alleys: Taipei makes culture accessible to all](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/art-in-the-community-culture-in-the-alley-and-culture-on-the-move.md) — "Culture in the Alley," supports hyper-local performing arts events, and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum's "Culture on the Move," which focuses on the localised use of museum collections. Both initiatives prioritise making art an integral part of everyday life for the city's residents, enhancing access, and democratising culture.
- [Can a festival define a city's spirit? A look at the success of 'Tokyo Tokyo FESTIVAL Special 13'](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/tokyo-festival-special-13.md) — Adapted in the face of the pandemic, thirteen extraordinary projects to celebrate the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games 2020.
- [Innovative arts in action: Melbourne's creative spaces initiatives](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/activating-creative-spaces.md) — In September 2020, the City of Melbourne, in collaboration with funding partner Working for Victoria, launched Flash Forward. This program commissioned local artists to activate 40 of the city center's historic laneways through lighting, music, and creative installations.
- [Celebrating Lagos: John Randle Centre pays tribute to Yoruba legacy](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/john-randle-centre-for-yoruba-history-and-culture.md) — Arts and culture venues in Lagos have historically been elitist. A newly restored cultural space is championing culture for all as it regenerates a major new history and leisure venue.
- [Historic districts to open-air museums: how Hong Kong infused design into daily life](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/design-district-hong-kong.md) — Creativity is flourishing in the city of Hong Kong, and it has recently contributed to diversifying the city's tourism offerings. Presented by the Tourism Commission of Hong Kong and organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), the three-year creative tourism project 'Design District Hong Kong #ddHK' was launched in 2018.
- [Herzog & de Meuron elevated Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie to global prominence](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/elbphilharmonie-hamburg.md) — How Hamburg created landmark concert hall The Elbphilhamonie within an existing heritage building, creating a new iconic focal point for the city's cultural scene.