Bluesfest Reveals Impact Of 2019 Festival With Over $83 Mil Injected Into NSW Economy

Byron Bay Bluesfest has today shared that the economic impact of this year's 30th anniversary festival has reached $83.4 million.

As part of a study commissioned by the festival, it's been revealed that of this figure (which represents the amount injected into the New South Wales economy), $35.5 million was spent in local Byron Shire area with a total of $59.1 million spent in the New South Wales' Northern Rivers region as a result of the 2019 event.

This represents a growth of 18.7% since the 2018 event, with each visitor spending an average daily amount of $304 while in the Byron Shire, Northern Rivers and New South Wales economies. 

The festival also saw an increase in patronage at the event, up 9.2% on last year.

"I'm thrilled to think that from its’ humble beginnings as the East Coast Blues Festival in 1990 at the Arts Factory (popularly called the Piggery due to it being an old pig slaughterhouse!), that Bluesfest is now such a critical contributor to the local economy in the tropical surrounds of Byron Bay," said Festival Director Peter Noble OAM of the report.

"Over the 30 years of its existence, Bluesfest has become a pinnacle event in the calendar of Australians and music fans overseas. I’m excited to see where the next 30 will bring us as a festival into the Byron. Northern Rivers, NSW and Australian economies."

Bluesfest will return to the area in 2020, with acts including Dave Matthews Band, Crowded House and Patti Smith And Her Band and more on board as part of the festival's first line-up announcement. The festival will take place from 9-14 April, head here to find out more info.