Oceania’s main draw card is associated with its natural resources. However the region offers various important diverse cultural resources, from heritage to events to arts, which are becoming more significant for the tourism product.
Indigenous Cultures
Oceania’s cultural heritage is complex and diverse. The Pacific islands are home to the world’s most diverse range of 
indigenous cultures (Lindstorm and Lamont, 1993), and along with Australia’s Aborigine and New Zealand’s Māori peoples, the cultures can be seen a tourist resource.
Although highly volatile, the governments are now seeking to ease the relationships between indigenous peoples and other inhabitants; and are promoting their involvement in the tourism industry. This can, at times, result in an unauthentic tourism offering, altered to tourists’ expectations.
Sydney Opera House
Australia’s Sydney Opera House, completed in 1973, is one of the iconic heritage attractions. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A purpose built world-class performing arts centre, it is representative of the region’s urban tourism offering, yet often undervalued in terms of its contribution to tourism. Conducting 3000 events each year and providing guided tours to 200,000 people (Wells, 2013) it is a significant tourist attraction.
Sporting Events
Sporting events are important for inbound and domestic tourism in the region. Tourists engaged in sports tourism are high yield and stay longer (Johnston, 2012). Australia and New Zealand have hosted numerous events, particularly in cricket, rugby and tennis. Notably: Olympic Games 2000, British Lions, the Ashes, F1 Grand Prix. South Pacific’s limited land resources are the main obstacle to hosting major sporting events, though the Pacific Games are noteworthy.
Hosting sporting events brings great economic benefits, particularly to small island states, and boosts the tourism industry (Narayan, 2003). The graph below represents visitor arrivals per month in New Zealand. Take particular notice of the spikes during Rugby events.
