LONDON (CelebrityAccess) — The Association of Independent Festivals released the results from a survey that concluded that the indie festival sector contributed an estimated £1 billion in revenue to the UK economy in the three-year period between 2014 and 2017.
According to the research conducted by the AIF audiences at AIF Member festivals spent more than £386 million in 2017, with £34.7 million of that being spent in the local area of the festival they attended.
These figures are based on an audience survey of about 800,000 people across 65 AIF member festivals in 2017, with an average spend per person of £483.14.
If accurate, AIF’s latest study shows that the indie festival market appears to be accelerating in the UK. In 2015, AIF reported that independent festivals contributed an estimated £1 billion to the UK economy over a four-year period between 2010 and 2014.
Since 2009, when AIF’s spend tracking began, audience spend per head has increased by around one third – from £364.17 in 2009 to £483.14 in 2017.
As well, breakdowns on spending show that spending on accommodation doubled from £24.23 per head in 2009 to £54.59 in 2017; spending on food and beverages was up by 40.5%; and off-site spending has risen from £19.93 per head in 2009 to £32.61 in 2017.
Over that period, the amount spent on festival tickets has increased by 20.5%, from £154.09 in 2009 to £185.89 in 2017.
The survey also revealed what attracts punters to festivals. According to the survey, an average of 53% of people said that it was the “atmosphere, vibe, character and quality of event.”
