Tourism Clusters as a means of fostering the cultural tourism product are discussed in this presentation.

2. Cultural tourism: what is it? why study it? an example of the ‘amorphous economy’? (Krugman, 1991).

5. Regional performance: total tourist revenue.

6. Challenge: how do we explain regional imbalances?

8. Iconic Attractions: Top Ten Fee-Paying Visitor Attractions, Ireland

9. Figure 1. Regional Marketing – an array of experiences Soft-adventure, activity-orientation Cultural Pursuits & Cultural Infrastructure (castles, historic homes, gardens, performing arts, festivals, etc) Scenery/Landscape People Hospitality Food & Beverages Retailing Transportation Golf, angling, sailing, surfing, hill-walking, etc

10. What are the characteristics of clusters in the context of the performing arts?

11. Cultural Tourism Cluster evolution: alignment imperative and viewpoints Pool of Related & Supporting Industries New Business Model Performing Arts Focal Actor International Event Largest/Most Visited Event Fast Growing Organizations Recent Entrants Skill Formation Artistic capabilities, craft, creative Event management skills

12. Cluster & Skills Formation Process Hybrids/Fusion Festival New Arts Infrastructure New cultural organisations Cluster/Skills Formation Process Specialisation Diversity Demand Supply Government: proactive or reactive Related & Supporting Industries: Responsive or non-responsive Co-opetition Diffusion of ideas