The visitor surveys carried out by ATLAS in eight countries in 2007 indicate that cultural tourism continues to grow in importance. The proportion of ATLAS respondents saying they were on a cultural holiday reached a record high of 31% in 2007, compared with only 17% ten years ago. This indicates that cultural tourism is growing in importance in the market mix of destinations worldwide.

Proportion of tourists surveyed who were on a cultural holiday 1997-2007

In terms of the favourite destinations for cultural tourists, Paris and Rome consolidated their position in 2007, with Paris being ranked among the top five cultural cities by over 60% of respondents and Rome being mentioned by just under 60%. Sibiu in Romania saw a marked increase in awareness as a cultural destination thanks to its staging of the European Capital of Culture in 2007.

Cities ranked among the top five cultural holiday destinations by ATLAS respondents 2007