The arts and culture are the third most popular attraction in Australia for international tourists, only behind shopping and visiting the beach, according to new research by the Australia Council for the Arts. The study has revealed that 38% of overseas visitors to Australia in 2013 did at least one arts activity during their stay, compared with 76% who went shopping and 61% who hit the beach. 14% visited casinos and 6% attended organised sporting events. International arts tourism grew by 10% between 2011-12 and 2013-14 and now represents 19% of the market, with 2.4 million visitors. It reveals an extremely high participation - 94% - among Australians in cultural pursuits, with reading the most popular pastime. Click here to read the full report.

Via Tourism Australia , Andrea Rossi, Sébastien Lion