Ticketing data reveals 2022 Adelaide Festival as a significant tourism event

June 22, 2022

According to ticketing data and results just released from an Economic Evaluation of the 2022 Adelaide Festival, a staggering 11,728 visitors came from interstate for the event representing a nearly three-fold increase on the previous Festival’s results.

Visitor bed nights have also returned to near pre-pandemic levels clocking in at 103,335 (increased from 35,301 in 2021). This represents up to 40% of audiences travelling to Adelaide from interstate, particularly across the Festival’s opening week.

In addition to the sheer number of people visiting Adelaide from outside the state, the 2022 Adelaide Festival generated an increased estimated gross expenditure of $51.8 million for South Australia.

This figure (up from $42.5 million in 2021) is included in the 2022 Economic Evaluation of the 2022 Adelaide Festival by Barry Burgan on behalf of Economic Research Consultants, commissioned by Adelaide Festival. The report indicated that total new expenditure in South Australia due to the Festival amounted to $23.6 million (an increase from $18.6 million in 2021), while net impact or newly created incomes (Gross State Product) is estimated at $26.4 million (up from $23.5 million in 2021) including the creation of the equivalent of 250 full time jobs (increase from 218 in 2021).

The 37th Adelaide Festival ran over 17 days, including 71 events across music, opera, dance, film and visual arts alongside Adelaide Writers’ Week and WOMADelaide events. In 2022 the Adelaide Festival celebrated 62 years and was the sixth and final Adelaide Festival presented by Joint Artistic Directors Rachel Healy and Neil Armfield AO.

SA Minister for Arts, Andrea Michaels notes "the incredible success of Adelaide Festival in 2022 cements Adelaide and South Australia as THE Festival destination in Australia. Adelaide Festival is not only a crucial driver for tourism in March, but it is essential to our identity, our economy and for the incredible opportunities it gives our artists. It makes this international arts festival the jewel in the cultural crown of South Australia."

Chair of Adelaide Festival Board Judy Potter enthused "I am so incredibly proud, not only of the economic impact this remarkable event had on South Australia, and the number of visitors it attracted, but of the way in which the Adelaide Festival team adapted and brought the Adelaide Festival 2022 program to life. We are extremely grateful to our sponsors, donors, our loyal Adelaide Festival Friends, ticket buyers and the South Australian Government who embrace this festival with unwavering support."

At the conclusion of Adelaide Festival in March, it was announced that the iconic event achieved a total box office income of more than $5 million, despite the challenges of reduced theatre capacities, COVIDSafe plans, close contacts and last-minute changes.

Chief Executive Kath M. Mainland added "It is wonderful to learn about the economic impact the 2022 Adelaide Festival had on South Australia. Seeing interstate visitors returning is incredibly heartening. Not only did Adelaide Festival again prove its importance to the South Australian economy through local employment, ticket sales and attendances, but through the impact it has on business in the city, our artists and our residents and the ever-important contribution that Adelaide Festival and our other great festivals bring to the cultural life of our community."

The 2022 Adelaide Festival by numbers:

$51.8 million gross expenditure generated for SA
$23.6 million new expenditure in SA
$26.4 million net impact on the Gross State Product
11,728 visitors to the state
103,335 visitor bed nights
250 jobs (full time equivalent)
71 events
823 performances (includes 108 Writers’ Week sessions + Kids’ Day +YA day and 140 WOMADelaide performances)
9 world premieres and 6 Australian premieres
17 events exclusive to Adelaide
863 artists from 22 countries

Images from top: 2022 Adelaide Festival Frankie The Creative Genesis Owusu; 2022 Adelaide Festival ICEHOUSE Credit: Andrew Beveridge; 2022 Adelaide Festival SKYWHALES Credit: Andrew Beveridge; 2022 Adelaide Festival Client Liaison Credit: Andrew Beveridge

13th May 2022 - Artworks light up Adelaide Festival Theatre shells for community enjoyment

31st March 2022 - Adelaide Festival Centre’s inSPACE program marks 20th anniversary

30th March 2022 - New Artistic Director appointed for Adelaide Festival

1st March 2022 - Adelaide Festival Centre Autumn 2022 season offers new children’s artspace, hit musicals and live concerts

11th February 2022 - Adelaide Festival Centre reopens and unveils two new entrances for Festival Theatre

14th January 2022 - Adelaide Festival appoints Kath Mainland as new Chief Executive

26th November 2021 - Adelaide Festival Centre reveals plans for interactive children’s gallery

29th September 2021 - Adelaide Festival Centre’s inSPACE 20th Anniversary program revealed

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