Australians are increasingly willing to travel – and even fly overseas – to see major theatre productions, with new research showing live performance is becoming a significant driver of tourism and local economic activity.

A survey by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) found 42 per cent of Australians would travel interstate to see a show, while 14 per cent would consider travelling overseas. Younger audiences are leading the trend: 21 percent of 18–24-year-olds said they would go abroad for a production, and 55 percent of 25–34-year-olds would travel interstate, the highest of any age group.

TTF chief executive Margy Osmond said the figures highlighted theatre’s growing role in connecting audiences across the country.