WISH YOU WERE HERE 2016 LIVE MUSIC TOURISM’S ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION TO WALES REVEALED

Today UK Music publishes Wish You Were Here 2016 – A new report that reveals the vast contribution of music tourism to the local Welsh economy.

The study showed that 402,000 music tourists visited the nation in 2015 to attend a live concert or music festival. These visitors generated a staggering £113 million in total for the local economy, and helped sustain 1,595 full-time jobs across Wales.

Music festivals and concerts have been adding to 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 2016 clearly shows the value of live music and music tourism to Wales 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 the city of Cardiff and breaks down economic and cultural scale and impact of live music and music tourism within the city, where last year 617,000 attended music events including 293,000 music tourists, who generated £52 million in revenue for the city.

MUSIC TOURISM IN WALES IN 2015

£113 million generated by music tourism in Wales in 2015

402,000 music tourists attending music events in Wales in 2015

1,595 full time jobs sustained by music tourism in 2015

617,000 total attendance at music events in Cardiff in 2015

293,000 music tourists generated £52 million in Cardiff last year

Jo Stevens MP for Cardiff Central said:

“Cardiff is the home to many great music venues – ranging from Clwb Ifor Bach to the Principality Stadium. I’m really pleased that our contribution to music tourism is supported in UK Music’s report. That a massive 293,000 music tourists came to our city for live events and gigs, spending £52 million is something that policy makers should acknowledge and find ways to maintain and grow.”

Kevin Brennan MP for Cardiff North said:

“Cardiff’s contribution to music is immense. Not only has the city helped nurture the talents of Welsh bands like the Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals and Stereophonics but venues like the Motorpoint Arena, St David’s Hall, Wales Millennium Centre and Millennium Stadium play host to live music events that bring people from all over the world to the City. I welcome UK Music’s report which highlights the huge importance of music and its impact on the tourist economy in Wales.”

Jo Dipple, UK Music Chief Executive said:

“The appetite for live music has continued to grow. Last year overseas music tourism increased by 16%, whilst British music events were attended by a staggering 27.7 million people in 2015. What this report shows, unequivocally, is the economic value of live music to communities, cities and regions.”