MUMBAI: An economic study on music tourism in the UK showed that a total of £3.1 billion was generated in 2014, through direct and indirect spending at festivals and live concerts in the UK. The report by UK Music, titled ‘Wish You Were Here 2015’, revealed that between 2011 and 2014, music tourism numbers in the UK have increased by 34 per cent.

During 2014, the UK saw approximately 9.5 million music tourists attend live music events. Of these, 546,000 were overseas music tourists, who visited the UK and spent an average of £751. According to the report, the increase in music tourism also boosted employment opportunities, with 38,238 full time jobs being sustained through music tourism. The numbers showed a 57 per cent increase from 2012, when 24,521 full time jobs were available.

Speaking on the numbers, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said, “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.”

UK Music chairman Andy Heath added, “More international music tourists are coming to the UK and more Brits are travelling further afield to gigs. The average spend by international music tourists has increased by 13 per cent during this period, while the total exports have grown by less than 2 per cent. If we want an export-led recovery, we need music tourists to keep coming to the UK.”

The report also found that in the last four years, overseas tourists attending music events in the UK had increased by 39 per cent. It highlighted festivals like Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight Festival, T-in The Park in Scotland, Green Man in Wales’ beautiful Brecon Beacons and several others, which have helped boost the UK’s music tourism industry.