Music tourism: £10 billion spent in the UK in 2024, a new record

Tourists attending concerts and music festivals in the UK will spend a record £10 billion (€11.7 billion) in 2024, according to a study by the industry association UK Music published Tuesday.

This amount marks a significant increase from the £8 billion disbursed in 2023.

Last year, just over half (£5.1 billion) of the £10 billion was spent on tickets, meals, transport or accommodation, with the remainder being indirect expenditure (security, suppliers, etc.).

The sector was driven primarily by concerts by Taylor Swift, but also by those of Bruce Springsteen, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo and Charli XCX.

They helped attract 23.5 million tourists, mainly British, compared to 19.2 million a year earlier.

The Oasis tour, which begins Friday in Cardiff, is expected to continue this momentum into 2025.

"The British music industry is facing several challenges that threaten its global status," Music UK points out, citing "rising touring costs, community venue closures" and a "purchasing power crisis."