Study: Woodford Folk Festival adds $21m to Queensland economy

Just days off launching its 29th year festivities, a study has shown that the Woodford Folk Festival is a major contributor to Queensland’s economy.

The 2013/14 event pumped $21 million to the state’s coffers, said the report by Strange Facts, which was prepared for Tourism and Events Queensland and the festival’s promoter, Queensland Folk Federation Inc. The festival generated an extra $182 million through the creation of jobs.

The economic impact was enjoyed most by the surrounding Moreton Bay Regional Council region, which received 81% of the benefits. The other parts of Queensland benefitted from the remaining 19%. In addition, 93% of respondents thought the festival’s success added to the reputation and image of the Moreton Bay region.

The Tourism Value, 2013/14 Woodford Folk Festival report put its total audience at 122,472 – or 42,997 when multiple attendances over its six days were factored in.

85% of attendees visited the region specifically for the festival at its 500-acre Woodfordia site. 61% came from around Queensland, 35% were from interstate and overseas, and 4% were locals. Only 27% came on day trips.

Attendees collectively spent 209,616 visitor nights in Queensland. The Australians spent an average of $461 each while travelling to Woodfordia. International visitors shelled out $910 each.

The findings of the report reinforced the festival’s picking up the Gold Award in the Major Festivals and Events category at the recent Queensland Tourism Awards for its second year.

The festival said that this year’s growth in its pre-event sales bucked declining national spending trends in entertainment and tourism. The quarterly Choice Consumer Pulse Report revealed that Australians were “pessimistic” about the economy. As a result, 71% cut down spending on entertainment in the last 12 months and 67% on clothes, while cuts to holidays rose to 66% from 58%.

Woodford Folk Festival founder and director Bill Hauritz commented, “It feels great to contribute to the economy, but for us it’s a value added extra. Our principal goals are cultural and that our programme focuses on cultural outcomes and patron comforts. We know a clean toilet is the difference between whether or not our visitors return next festival. It’s a camping festival, but we endeavour to always pay attention to the small details – they count. We want folks to have a really fantastic time here.”

Moreton Bay Region Mayor, Allan Sutherland, praised the achievements of the Queensland Folk Federation. “The Woodford Folk Festival has confirmed its reputation as the Sunshine State’s premier destination event by remaining fresh and engaging, and it’s based right here in the Moreton Bay Region,” he said.

Held this year between December 27 and January 1, the festival includes over 2,000 performers and 580 events. These include concerts, dances, street theatre, writers’ panels, circus, late night cabarets, a film festival, story telling, a children’s festival, environmental, meditation and First Nation programs, and lifestyle and health workshops.

The closing ceremony is a breathtaking fire spectacular which traditionally begins with a First Nation fire-lighting ritual, and goes on to incorporate a 500-strong lantern procession by the crowd, fireworks, sculptural imagery, giant puppets and a Fire Choir.