Community led tourism is fundamental to the success and community support for tourism in Cullen. Back in the mid-1990s Cullen Tourist Office was threatened with closure following an announcement by the tourist board to withdraw funding. The community came together to save the office and 29 years later it is going from strength to strength and all because of the support of the local community and hard work of volunteers.

Tourism plays a key part in the economy of Cullen from accommodation, attractions, events, eateries and much more. So much of the tourism activity is led by community groups including Discover Cullen, Three Kings Cullen Association, Friends of Cullen Toilets, Friends of the Millenium Garden, Cullen Volunteer Group and many more. By working together and collaboratively Cullen feels a buzzing place with positive feedback both from local residents and visitors.

Through an initiative called ‘Cullen Connected’ all community groups and businesses arelinked up and produce a regular online and printed newsletter sharing news and updates. There is a real sense of community between the groups and businesses, and this comes across when visitors come to Cullen. Visitors benefit from well cared for footpaths, blooming planters and flower beds, three sets of volunteer run toilets, community events programme, heritage centre, tourist office, tourism website, Millenium Garden, community centre that are all operated by community organisations.

As a town we come together to face challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, vacant commercial premises, and currently in 2025, moves by our local council to take over parts of the main visitors car park for unmanaged motorhome overnight parking. We collectively work hard to support the tourism industry in Cullen and to ensure that it works first and foremost for the benefit no detriment of our community who live in Cullen.

Collectively we have a strong voice and feed into local, regional and national tourism and other relevant organisations to maximise the opportunities and potential benefits of tourism to Cullen. It is so important to have that voice as this is our town, our community and our way of life.

If the local community feel overwhelmed by tourism this would have a negative impact on quality of life and the experience both residents and visitors to Cullen have. I believe that together we are striking the right balance, and that Cullen positively benefits from tourism and when an issue arises, we are able as a community to address it and put actions in place to resolve.