Writing workshops as cultural tourism: a case study and discussion on this evolving form of tourism

Cultural tourism is regarded as ‘the movement of persons to cultural attractions awayfrom their normal place of residence, with the intention to gather new information andexperiences to satisfy their cultural needs’ (Richards, 1996). Writing workshops andretreats (in both Australia and around the world) are held in such diverse locationsthat the very definition of ‘normal’ can be considered irrelevant. From surf writingcamps in Mexico (Sayulita Writers Workshops) to historic houses in England (ArvonFoundation), the range of experiences available would surely satisfy anyone’s‘cultural needs’. This paper looks at the evolution of one particular community-based writing workshop over a 5 year period. It examines the growth and development of theworkshops, held annually on an island in Queensland and hosted by the literarymagazine of a regional university. Data will be used to demonstrate and account forthe growth and success of the workshop and this will be used to add weight to a larger discussion regarding the growth of the writing workshop as cultural tourism.Comparisons and contrasts will be made with other successful workshops held inUbud, Bali and Larapinta, Alice Springs to answer these important questions