Art tourism: A new field for tourist studies

This article argues the case for art tourism as a new field of tourist studies. At present, art tourismis currently obscured under cultural tourism’s voluminous bounds – which are as inappropriateas they are unwieldy and overloaded. More specifically, it cannot adequately contain art tourism’sdistinctive origins, forms of experience and articulation between art worlds, cities and regionsand tourism industries. In part, a more dedicated research field is also needed to keep track ofits rapid growth and development as a primary driver of regional and urban regeneration and forthe much expanded exhibitionary complex it encompasses. As a place-changing vehicle for citylife, art tourism also needs separate forms of data collection to assist in its effective planning anddesign. Museums that have historically catered for local art publics now need to relate increasinglyto growing touring art publics. The article sets out the historical and contemporary significance ofart tourism in order to identify the breadth of a new tourism agenda, as well as its connections toother disciplines including art, architecture, social anthropology, cultural economy, urban studies,museology, aesthetics and the sociology and geography of art