Music tourists boost UK economy by £3.1 billion

18 June 2015, 13:13 | Written by Jessica Goodman

(News)

Music fans travelling to the UK from abroad for gigs and festivals boosted the economy by £3.1 billion through 2014, according to a new report.

Carried out by industry body UK Music, the report found that foreign UK festival attendees spent an average of £751, whilst there has been a 39% increase in the number of tourists travelling to the UK for music through the past four years.

The report also states that fans travelling to UK festivals from abroad helped sustain nearing 40,000 full time jobs.

Conservative culture secretary John Whittingdale said of the findings:

"We know our UK creative industries contribute an astonishing £76.9bn to the UK economy but this report confirms they are truly world-class and a powerful advert for the UK. Festivals like Glastonbury hold an iconic status on the world music scene and are one of the reasons why international tourism is booming in the UK, drawing in streams of visitors to all parts of the country."