Travelsmart
Calgary Folk Music Festival an important contributor to Calgary’s cultural and visitor economies
2016 edition generated $6 million in economic activity in Calgary, including $4.3 million in visitor and operational spending
July 20, 2017 – As organizers prepare for the 2017 edition of the Calgary Folk Music Festival (July 27 to 30), a recently-released economic impact assessment produced by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance shows that the 2016 Calgary Folk Music Festival generated $6 million in economic activity in Calgary during the Year of Music.
“For 38 years, Calgarians and visitors have celebrated one of North America’s most respected, high-profile international festivals on a magical four day long weekend that brings icons and upstart artists from our backyard and around the globe,” says Kerry Clarke, Artistic Director, Calgary Folk Music Festival. “We’re proud we’ve made such a positive contribution to Alberta’s economy as well as to its culture.”
“Cornerstone events like the Calgary Folk Music Festival are critical to Calgary’s draw, our personality, our cultural and music scenes, and clearly, to our economy,” says Cindy Ady, CEO Tourism Calgary. “These economic results reinforce the objectives in Calgary’s Destination Strategy, which highlight the need for robust and vibrant iconic cultural experiences like Folk Fest for the benefit of both visitors and Calgarians.”
With 53,000 attendees over four days, including 2,477 out of town visitors who travelled over 100 kilometres to attend Calgary Folk Music Festival, other key figures include:
-$6 million in economic activity in Calgary
-$6.6 million in economic activity in Alberta
-$550 average tourism spend per person
-$4.3 million in visitor and operational spending
-30 jobs supported in Alberta
-$4 million increase in Alberta GDP
“The Calgary Folk Music Festival is a highly-anticipated, beloved celebration of summer and music in our city that attracts thousands of people from Calgary and beyond to enjoy a weekend of music together,” says Patti Pon, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “It’s a great example of why Calgarians believe that a strong arts and culture scene is key to creating a vibrant and prosperous city.”
The 38th edition of the Calgary Folk Music Festival runs July 27 to 30 at Prince’s Island Park, and features 70 artists from 14 countries on 7 different stages.
You can read more of the news on source
