In 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.
In 2008 folk music festival attendees were found to be drawn from all walks of life and from all age groups. Most folk festival attendees enjoyed other forms of music, not just folk music, but had come to appreciate folk music too.
Over the past decade, folk music has become increasingly popular, with the number of fans soaring. Once people get into folk music they tend to remain very loyal to the genre. Because folk fans are so loyal the level of people attending folk festivals is expected to continue to rise, rapidly.
Folk festivals are perceived as more friendly, open and safer than other larger music festivals. The fact that they are open to so many different kinds of musicians is something that else which appeals to folk festival fans.
37% of folk festival attendees take 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 at the festival. Ticket prices are still low for most folk festivals despite the fact that they are often sold out within days of being made available. The perception is that folk festivals are less commercial than other music festivals, which is part of their appeal.
Folk festivals are seen by tourists as somewhere to experience the UK’s musical history and roots. Every folk festival remembers to include traditional folk bands and dancers as well as allowing new bands to play. This mix of history and new genres is something tourists especially appreciate. Most tourists to the UK are attracted to the country because of its rich heritage and history including its musical heritage.
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categories: Music, celtic music, Irish music, folk music, live music, gigs, Concerts, family music festivals