The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Oban Live festival pumps £1.4m into local economy
In three years event becomes biggest open-air concert in Argyll
The rural music festival Oban Live this year generated a staggering £1.4million for the local economy, a 27% increase from 2016.
In just three years of the event being staged, it has immediately become the biggest open-air live music concert in Argyll, entertaining crowds of almost 8,000 with traditional Scottish and Celtic rock music.
It has also attracted international superstars such as KT Tunstall last year and Toploader this year to the
“We are delighted to see such positive results”
line-up.
There was a rise in the proportion of festival visitors travelling to Oban from outwith Scotland, up to 10% from 7% in 2016 and 6% in 2015.
Trips from outside UK doubled to 4%.
Meanwhile, 38% were visiting from other areas of mainland Scotland, outwith the local area and the Highlands and Islands.
Impressively, more than 17% of visitors stayed for four or more nights, compared to 14% in 2016.
Almost 5%, compared to 3% last year, were staying away from home for more than seven days.
A total of 98.4% of those attending were in the area the as a result of Oban Live, with many of them returning visitors.
The analysis found that more than two thirds (50% in 2016) had visited Oban Live in 2016, meaning 2017 was a successful year in encouraging repeat visits as well as attracting a new audience.
Oban Live managing director Daniel Gillespie said: “Since day one, creating economic opportunity for the local area and attracting more visitors to the town of Oban has always been a main objective.
“So we are absolutely delighted to see such positive results and encouraged to see the event going from strength to strength.
“Our thanks goes out to all our sponsors, partners and the supporting local community whose input and advocacy for the event has proven to be a key factor in the growth of Oban Live and it’s social and economic impact.”
Fergus Murray, Argyll and Bute Council’s head of economic development and strategic transportation, said: “This is fantastic news for the town of Oban and the wider Argyll and Bute area.
“The Oban Live music festival attracts a large number of people and helps boost the local economy. We wish them every success.”
Discounted early bird tickets for Oban Live 2018 sold out in record breaking time earlier this month ahead of any line-up act announcements which are expected in the coming weeks.
Tickets were bought from a range of locations from Oban and surrounding areas, to as far afield as Europe and America.