Under discussion is an integrated technology platform with a website and app that provides a single point of information allowing tourists to bundle travel and tourist attractions with cultural activities. Create NSW is exploring opportunities for discounts and customised itineraries. It may also include a time-limited card or pass of one, two or five days. Sydney residents, interstate visitors and international tourists would be the target market with concessions available to disadvantaged youth. Create NSW raised with Transport NSW the idea of integrating the pass with the Opal Card as a cheaper and easier option than a separate preloaded card. However a single card spanning events, public transport and museum entry seems to have been all but ruled out. A fully integrated card posed ''significant regulatory and technological challenges which would be costly and time-consuming to overcome'', according to documents obtained by the Herald under freedom of information laws.

Integration with the Opal Card is problematic. Credit:Kate Geraghty There were also concerns around transport concessions, which are tightly controlled and unavailable to pensioners or students from overseas. In March this year, costings and a timeline for getting a three-day pass to market were undertaken. Create NSW regards the Sydney Culture Pass as a way to increase the reach and share of Sydney's arts and cultural offerings, encouraging tourists and locals to extend their visits and enhance Sydney's global profile as a centre for arts and culture. Ticket prices, accessibility including transport, and a reluctance to try new experiences have been identified as barriers to greater cultural engagement.

Access to data obtained via the Sydney Culture Pass would assist government planning and help understand and quantify the arts sector's value. A smartphone app could provide a single point of information and allow tourists to bundle travel with cultural activities and tourist attractions. The scheme has the potential to be expanded into regional NSW if a trial proved successful. Arts Minister Don Harwin said he was interested in looking at how the power of digital technology could be used to enable people to enjoy cultural institutions. ''Arts and culture is for everyone and NSW is a cultural destination that is enriched by amazing museums, galleries, and performance centres. We want to see locals and visitors to our state making the most of our cultural gems.