Ten Days proves to be another island success story

It’s now hard to recall Tasmania without its annual festival calendar and the one that inspired them
all, Ten Days on the Island, has reported its 2013 festival had an economic benefit to the community
of some $27.25 million, for an investment of just under $2.5 million.

The figures are part of a KPMG Economic Impact Statement, which also estimated the equivalent of
well over one quarter of the Tasmanian population (156,765 people) who attended a Ten Days on
the Island event.

Ten Days on the Island Executive Director and Producer Marcus Barker said of those who attended in
2013, just under one in ten were either from interstate or overseas.

“Even for the Tasmanian-based visitors, some 12 per cent stayed overnight for at least one night,
generating a flow-on effect to the local festival communities, no doubt coupled with spending on our
fine food, wine and accommodation,” Mr Barker said.

“Yet again the festival has proven its value to the Tasmanian community, not only inspiring,
entertaining and enlivening audiences, but also having significant economic and social impact
throughout regional Tasmania, boosting the economies of the ten towns that hosted festival events.

“The report estimates the festival supported the full-time equivalent of some 87 Tasmanian jobs and
given the tough economic times the State is currently facing, the multiplier effect of $10 for every
public dollar invested, will no doubt come as welcome news.

“On top of the direct economic benefit to the venues and services involved in the festival, there was
also a significant flow-on effect to businesses statewide that experienced festival attendee spending,
pre and post-event touring and return visitation.

“These results come in spite of the global financial crisis and demonstrate not only the cultural value
of the festival, but also the ongoing economic impact of such a large-scale event.

“Ten Days on the Island has bought art and culture to Tasmania in a way that our population has
never before experienced and continues to inspire a burgeoning festivals calendar that is the envy of
the nation.

“Plans are now well underway for the 2015 festival, which will again inspire not only audiences
throughout Tasmania, but also continue to foster and encourage great creative endeavours.

“We think, with an investment return of $10 for every public dollar spent, coupled with the
inspiration for a rich calendar of complimentary festivals, Ten Days on the Island has demonstrated
its value in so many ways to the Tasmanian community.”

Ten Days on the Island is Australia’s only statewide, international arts festival and Tasmania’s
premier cultural event. Since its inception in 2001, the festival has been presented to audiences in
every corner of Tasmania, impacting the lives of over one million people over the seven festivals held
to date.
Ten Days on the Island Executive Director and Producer Marcus Barker