The Importance of Folk Festivals For Tourism
March 7, 2011In 2008, a study of folk festival attendees in the UK showed that a folk festival is a good way to increase the number of tourists visiting your area. 90% of the folk festival goers who were interviewed during the 2008 study turned out to be tourists. Most of these tourists were on holiday and planned to stay once the festival had finished.
The 2008 survey showed that the perception that everyone who attends folk festivals are over 40 and are purely folk music fans was completely wrong. They were drawn from all walks of life and from all age groups. Most enjoyed other forms of music as well as folk music and were drawn to folk music because they had eclectic tastes.
More and more people are being drawn to folk or acoustic music. Generally speaking, once someone becomes a fan of folk music or attending folk festivals they remain loyal fans for the rest of their lives. Because of this the level of people attending folk festivals is expected to continue to rise.
People feel that folk festivals are more relaxed, friendly and open than many other forms of music festival. There is usually something different to listen to or see at a folk festival. There are always lots of new bands and folk music is a continually evolving genre, so there is always something new and interesting at a folk festival.
37% of the folk festival attendees, interviewed in 2008 were there with their children. Folk festivals are viewed by most people to be family friendly.
In the UK folk festivals generate over 80M per year in revenue, the majority of which comes from foreign visitors. The new money that folk festivals bring to the UK each year is vital for the country’s economy.
87% of folk festival attendees feel that they get good value for money. Ticket prices are still low for most folk music festivals despite the fact that they are often sold out within days of being made available. Folk festivals are seen as less commercialised than other music festivals and concerts as a result they offer better value for money and are friendlier.
Folk festivals attract tourists, in part, because they celebrate the history of British music. There are plenty of new acts and new styles of folk music at each festival, but the old songs are still performed and traditional dancing is still featured at every festival. Most tourists to the UK are attracted to the country because of its rich heritage and history, so historical music and dancing really appeals to them.
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