This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Summer festivals bring £135m to Scotland
20/01/2005
The world's biggest programme of arts festivals provides
a massive boost to Scotland's economy, bringing in £135
million and supporting 2,900 full time jobs, according to a
report published today.
The results, unveiled by Minister for Tourism, Culture
and Sport Patricia Ferguson and Edinburgh's Deputy Lord
Provost Steve Cardownie, were welcomed today by
representatives from Edinburgh's festival community.
Last year, Edinburgh's programme of summer festivals ran
from July 30 to September 5 and recorded a total of 2.6
million attendances. Thirty percent of all visitors were
from Edinburgh and 28 percent were from Scotland, while 15
per cent were from abroad and 27 percent from elsewhere in
the UK. Sixty four percent of visitors from outwith
Edinburgh stated that the festivals were the sole or mail
reason for visiting the city.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture Patricia
Ferguson said:
"Each year Edinburgh's summer festivals offer an
explosion of cultural activity that showcases some of the
most exciting and diverse arts and cultural experiences
available in the world today.
"Tourists are attracted here to celebrate our heritage
and modern festivals, and these impressive figures
demonstrate that arts and culture are integral, and
important to economic and social life in Scotland.
"We have an ambitious major events strategy and I am
pleased that EventScotland and VisitScotland have supported
this economic impact study in partnership with the
Festivals and the City of Edinburgh."
Paul Gudgin, Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
and speaking on behalf of the summer festivals, said:
"There's no city anywhere in the world that can
currently match the scale and quality of Edinburgh's
festivals . The results of this report clearly demonstrate
how important the festivals are to Edinburgh and Scotland
and underline how important it is for the festivals to
continue working together and in partnership with the main
agencies to maintain our pre eminent position."
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Deputy Lord Provost and the
city's events and festivals champion, said:
"Edinburgh's programme of summer festivals are world
renouwned, with a fabulous offering of entertainment,
culture and education for visitors and residents alike.
"Not only do the festivals contribute greatly to the
city's cultural life and international profile, they also
provide a massive economic boost, bringing employment and
business opportunities to Edinburgh and beyond. Delivering
a collective economic boost of £127 million to the city and
£135 million to Scotland, the summer festivals have proved
that their strength is in their diversity. This study will
help us to ensure that we can build on the fabulous success
story of Edinburgh's festivals for the city and for
Scotland in the future."
Jim McFarlane, Chief Executive Scottish Enterprise
Edinburgh and Lothian, said:
"The importance of Edinburgh's summer festivals to
the economy of the city and Scotland is reaffirmed by this
latest study. However the significant role they play in
raising our profile internationally as a centre of cultural
and artistic excellence is also highlighted. Our reputation
as a vibrant and dynamic hub for the arts is a vital
element of the strategy to promote the quality of life that
is attractive to the talented people who can help sustain
our prosperity. The summer festivals add a buzz of
excitement, colour and drama to the city that is enjoyed by
residents and visitors alike. We need to use these latest
findings to enhance the Edinburgh and Scotland visitor
experience, promote our excellent quality of life and
encourage more people to come and live here."
It is estimated that local and UK national media
coverage of the summer festivals had an advertising value
of almost £12 million. This figure does not include the
massive amount of international coverage achieved by
Edinburgh's festivals.
At an Edinburgh level, the summer festivals contribute
£127 million to the local economy and supports 2500 full
time jobs. The study also highlights the significant impact
that Edinburgh's summer festivals have outside the city,
with 15 percent of visitors staying in Glasgow, the
Highlands and Islands and other areas of Scotland during
their trip.
The findings are part of a year long study to assess the
economic benefits of Edinburgh's calendar of festivals,
which is due to be completed in spring this year. The
research is based on a survey of 2,624 visitors attending
festival events. Information was also gathered from
journalists, performers, the Edinburgh Principal Hotels
Association and the festivals.
The study was highlighted as a priority in the Edinburgh
Tourism Action Plan 2004-2007 and Paul Gudgin, Director of
the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, was named as champion for
the project. The work is being carried out by consultants
SQW and TNS Travel and Tourism, with funding coming from
the City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Enterprise
Edinburgh and Lothian, VisitScotland and EventScotland.
Festivals involved in the first stage of the study are:
Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival, Edinburgh
Military Tattoo, Edinburgh International Film Festival,
Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Book
Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Mela,
Festival Cavalcade, Edinburgh International Games Festival
and Edinburgh International TV Festival.
Festivals involved in the second stage are: Edinburgh's
Capital Christmas, Edinburgh's Hogmanay, Edinburgh
International Science Festival, Edinburgh Easter Festival,
Scottish International Children's Festival, Scottish
International Storytelling Festival and Ceilidh Culture
The Edinburgh Tourism Action Group was formed in 2000 is
led by the private tourism sector and chaired by Richard
Jeffrey, Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport. It is
supported by Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian,
City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh and Lothians
Tourist Board.