Reports reveals that music tourism generated £280 million & 2081 jobs for Scotland last year
17th June 2015
Wish You Were Here 2015 – A new report has revealed the vast contribution of music tourism to the local economy within Scotland. The study showed that over 721,000 music tourists visited Scotland in 2014 to attend a concert or music festival. These visitors generated £280 millionin total for the economy, and helped sustain 2081 full-time local jobs.
Music festivals and concerts have been adding to British happiness and wellbeing for decades. Importantly music tourism has been driving wealth into recovering local economies across the whole of the UK. Wish You Were Here 2015 clearly shows the value of live music and music tourism to the region through live concerts and festivals and the huge boost that it continues to bring to the area both culturally and economically.
The report also highlights T-in The Park Festival as an example of the many venues, festivals and companies that are helping to support and drive the booming music tourism industry across the UK.
MUSIC TOURISM / SCOTLAND IN 2014
– £280 million generated by music tourism in Scotland in 2014
– 721,000 music tourists attending music events in the region in 2014
– 2081 full time jobs sustained by music tourism in 2014
– £724 average spend by overseas music tourist visiting Scotland in 2014
Jo Dipple, UK Music Chief Executive said: “Our rich music heritage and infrastructure has made the UK the go-to destination for live music globally and these statistics show that tourism is now a bedrock of British music and the wider economy.”
Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale said: “British music is legendary around the world and this report confirms its role in our tourism boom. Our creative industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, and music festivals are making a huge contribution to local economies across the UK”
Michelle Thomson, MP for Edinburgh West said: “On average overseas tourists who come to Scotland for music concerts and festivals spend £724 whilst here. This underlines the importance of music and its impact on local economies. Edinburgh, in particular, offers a great deal and I am pleased that Scotland’s role as a leading music tourist destination is being highlighted for all to see.”
Read more on the UK Music website
