Festivals a 'bigger boost for Scottish economy than golf'

By Rebecca Gordon

Edinburgh’s festivals are now more important to the Scottish economy than the golfing industry, according to a new study.

The city’s 12 festivals also generate significant tourism benefits, contribute to local and national identity and pride and widen access to the arts.

Commissioned by the Festivals Forum, the Edinburgh Festivals Impact Study is the largest programme of research into the 12 international events, and articulates for the first time the contribution they make to the social, cultural and civic life of Scotland and Edinburgh.

One of the study’s key findings concerns the economic impact of Edinburgh’s festivals, calculating that they generated £261m for the national economy and £245m for Edinburgh in 2010, compared to the £191m accrued by the country’s golfing industry.

With more than four million visitors each year, the festivals sustain 5200 jobs in various contributing industries.

Written by economic and social impact researchers BOP Consulting, research also aimed for the first time to address impacts beyond the financial, quantifying the social, cultural and environmental impacts of the festivals.

Lady Susan Rice, chair of the Festivals Forum, said this was important to their continuing success. She said: “Edinburgh’s Festivals are a cultural phenomenon, celebrated globally and treasured locally. They are one of Scotland’s most visible assets and, thanks to this study we now have a clearer understanding of the breadth of their benefits reach across Edinburgh and Scotland.

“In a competitive tourism market and shifting economic climate, this study will be essential in helping us identify the best ways to ensure the Festivals flourish for generations to come.”

From analysis of the festivals’ effects on cultural and social life in Scotland it emerged that the events, which include the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, increase local pride, according to 89% of the study’s respondents, as well as enhancing the profile of the capital to incoming festival-goers, 93% of whom state the festivals are part of what make Edinburgh special as a city.

The festivals were also found to be an important means of widening access to the arts, welcoming more than 32,000 people to workshops and educational events last year and encouraging nearly two thirds of their audiences to take greater risks and attend less well-known performances.

In addition, the impact report acknowledged festival organisers’ drive to tackle climate change and resource depletion, developing ways of benchmarking environmental impact for the first time.

Fiona Hyslop, Culture Secretary, said: “Year on year Edinburgh’s world-renowned Festivals continue to enchant audiences from home and around the world. From our early days in government, we have shown our commitment to the festivals, establishing and investing in our Expo Fund which has produced award-winning creative collaborations and showcases Scottish artistic talent.

“In addition to the inherent cultural and social benefits our festivals bring to Edinburgh and to Scotland, this report highlights the significant economic benefits they reap with over one quarter of a billion pounds of additional tourism revenue generated alone. The future is bright for Edinburgh’s festivals and, as Culture Secretary, I am looking forward to experiencing a fantastic programme this year and announcing details of how we will expand the Expo Fund to benefit the festivals for years to come.”

Councillor Steve Cardownie, festivals and events champion, added: "The festivals are rightly a tremendous source of civic pride, both locally and nationally, and this study perfectly demonstrates how greatly they enhance the quality of life of Edinburgh citizens, as well as giving a huge boost to the city economy.

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