Brixton’s O2 Academy, Clapham Grand and the Royal Albert Hall are just some of the south west London venues that helped generate £3.1billion in revenue through music tourism last year.
Music tourism in the UK soured by 34% between 2011 and 2014 with 9.5million people travelling to events last year, according to a UK Music study.
In addition to boosting the nation’s coffers, attending festivals and concerts has been adding to British happiness and wellbeing.
Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale said: “It’s fantastic news that our music industry drew in 9.5 million tourists last year but it’s no surprise.
“British music is legendary around the world and continues to go from strength to strength, with UK artists now accounting for one in seven albums sold worldwide.
“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.
“We know our UK creative industries contribute an astonishing £76.9 billion to the UK economy but this report confirms they are truly world-class and a powerful advert for the UK.”
The last four years has also seen a whopping 39% rise in the number of overseas tourists travelling to the UK to attend events, each with an average spend of £751 going directly to UK businesses.
This increase in music tourism provides a boost to employment throughout the country with 38,238 full time jobs in 2014 sustained by music tourism in the UK, marking a 57 % increase from the 2012 figure of 24,521.
UK Music Chief Executive Jo Dipple said: “The UK’s rich music heritage and infrastructure has made the UK the go-to destination for live music globally and these statistics show how tourism is now a bedrock of British music and the wider economy.
“Music is putting the GREAT in Great Britain.”
Image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with thanks
