Yes, tourism can be considered part of the creative industry as it involves the creation and consumption of unique experiences and cultural products such as art, performances, cuisine, and heritage sites that attract visitors and contribute to local economies.
Detailed response to the query
Yes, tourism can indeed be considered part of the creative industry. The creative industry encompasses a wide range of sectors that involve the generation and exploitation of creative output, including architecture, advertising, design, fashion, film, music, and more. Tourism, in particular, represents a vibrant and dynamic sector within the creative industry.
Tourism involves the creation and consumption of unique experiences and cultural products that attract visitors from around the world. These experiences can include art exhibitions, live performances, culinary delights, heritage sites, and more. As tourists seek out these creative and cultural offerings, they contribute to local economies, generate employment opportunities, and foster cultural exchange.
A well-known resource, UNESCO, recognizes the link between tourism and the creative industry. Their report, “Creative Industries and Tourism: Culture, Crafts, and Gastronomy,” highlights how creative industries, including cultural tourism, contribute to sustainable development and local identity preservation.
Interesting facts about tourism within the creative industry:
- According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the global tourism industry directly contributed $8.9 trillion to the economy in 2019.
- The British Council estimates that the creative industries contribute over $2 trillion to the global economy.
- Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration, known for its vibrant artistic displays and cultural significance, attracts millions of international tourists each year.
- The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, designed by architect Frank Gehry, is a prime example of how an iconic cultural institution can transform a city into a major tourist destination.
- Italy’s UNESCO-recognized cuisine, with its rich culinary heritage and diverse regional specialties, attracts food enthusiasts who embark on gastronomic tourism experiences.
Here’s a table illustrating the connection between tourism and the creative industry:
| Creative Industries | Examples in Tourism |
|---|---|
| Art and Design | Art exhibitions, galleries, street art tours |
| Performing Arts | Live music concerts, theater performances, dance shows |
| Film and Media | Film festivals, film locations tours, media production experiences |
| Cultural Heritage | Museums, heritage sites, cultural festivals |
| Gastronomy and Cuisine | Food tours, cooking classes, culinary festivals |
| Fashion | Fashion shows, shopping tours, designer showcases |
| Architecture | Architectural tours, iconic buildings |
In conclusion, tourism can be regarded as an integral part of the creative industry due to its involvement in the creation and consumption of unique cultural experiences. The relationship between both sectors contributes to the economic growth and preservation of cultural heritage, offering visitors and locals alike a chance to engage with diverse creative outputs. As J.B. Priestley once said, “The more we travel, the bigger the world becomes, and the less we can possibly ‘know’ it.”
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Mehret Mandefro, a doctor-turned-filmmaker, believes that the creative industries have the power to promote economic growth and democratic ideals in any country. She discusses her experience training young people in film production in Ethiopia, where high unemployment rates persist, particularly among young women. Mandefro emphasizes that investing in the creative sector can create job opportunities and advance the economy. She uses her own film production as a case study to demonstrate how government support for the creative industry can attract tourism, create employment, and provide career growth opportunities. Mandefro argues that supporting the creative economy is essential for safeguarding democracy and fostering inclusive, democratic participation through exposure to different cultures and stories.
Some further responses to your query
The tourism sector is included in the creative cities’ development through products that differentiate the destination and are directly linked to local and territorial characteristics.
In recent studies of urban economies, tourism is often listed as one of the creative industries, and ‘creative tourism’ has been taken up by many destinations around the globe.
Cultural industries are best described as an adjunct-sector of the creative industries. Cultural industries include industries that focus on cultural tourism and heritage, museums and libraries, sports and outdoor activities, and a variety of ‘way of life’ activities that arguably range from local pet shows to a host of hobbyist concerns.
In addition, to think of them as a ‘sector’, however arbitrary the definition, drew attention to the fact that they were part of or contributed to a wide range of industries and professions, from advertising to tourism, and there was evidence that the skills and work styles of the creative sector were beginning to impact on other areas of the economy, especially in the use of digital technologies.
Creative tourism has grown rapidly in the past decade, reflecting the growing desire of consumers to develop their own creative potential and to attach themselves to creative networks, as well as the need for creative producers, cities and regions to profile themselves in an increasingly crowded global market.
The emergence of ‘creative tourism’ reflects the growing integration between tourism and different placemaking strategies, including promotion of the creative industries, creative cities and the ‘creative class’.
In the second part, the emphasis is put on definition of creative tourism as a creative industry based on creative activities.