Hay Festival generates a £70m boost for economy
THE Hay Festival has given a £70m boost to the local area over the past three years, new research has shown.
Analysing visitor spend within a 30-minute drive from the festival site, new statistics from independent data collection provider QRS Research show that the festival also generated £25.8m for the area in 2018 alone – up 26% on 2016.
There was also an increase in tickets sold, up to 273,000 which is up 18,000 on 2017, while 41% of festival attendees stayed in local accommodation for an average of four nights, with attendees from more than 40 countries from Afghanistan to Venezuela, according to data published in the festival’s annual report.
The survey also shows a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 77% for the festival, deemed excellent with attendees also giving an average satisfaction score of 8.6/10.
Taking place from May 24 to June 3, Hay Festival 2018 saw readers from around the world joined by 700 of the greatest writers, global policy makers, pioneers and innovators in 800 events across 11 days showcasing the latest ideas in the arts, sciences and current affairs, alongside music, comedy and entertainment.
Festival events and projects reached the widest audience yet, with live streams into libraries across the UK via The British Library’s Living Knowledge Network on Saturday, May 26, and via the enhanced BBC partnership that saw live recordings for iPlayer, TV and radio shows on site.
Around 8,500 pupils also attended the festival free of charge, while 92 schools across the country livestreamed events into their classrooms for free.
Maggie Kerr, development director of Hay Festival, said: “Every year during festival week Hay throws its doors open to the world.
“The festival, Hay’s bookshops, shops, galleries, cafés, restaurants, campsites, hotels and community all give a welcome like no other place.
“Our research shows how valuable these visitors are to the town’s economy and how important the warm welcome they receive is to their experience. We’ll continue to work closely with our neighbours and friends to ensure that keeps moving forwards, but overall it’s good news for the town.”
Andrew Williams, chair of Hay-onWye Chamber of Commerce, said: “The festival is always a huge highlight of the business year here in Hay.
“As a Chamber of Commerce we know that our members are thrilled to see the impact on the local economy of the festival visitors.
“We work closely with Hay Festival to encourage more people to visit our wonderful town and look forward to welcoming them. Roll on 2019.”
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “Hay Festival enriches the minds of those attending every year with thought provoking talks and events, this research goes to show how the local economy also benefits from the festival – and is testimony to the warm welcome that visitors receive in Hay every year.
“The festival has long been one of Wales’ iconic events and long may the success continue.”