Adelaide Fringe sets new records in 2016

Adelaide Fringe Puddles the ClownThe 2016 Adelaide Fringe has smashed records for tourist visitation, ticket sales, attendances and economic expenditure. Released today, the Annual Review shows the Fringe delivered a staggering $21.7 million of new money to the state from interstate and international visitors, up almost 70 per cent in five years.

This year’s Adelaide Fringe attracted about 13,500 visitors and the total estimated number of visitor bed nights rose to almost 77,200, a 14 per cent increase on the 2015 figure. The total expenditure related to the event was $77.6 million, up almost 13 per cent on last year’s figure of $68.8 million.

Adelaide Fringe Chair David Minear said South Australians wholeheartedly supported the Adelaide Fringe and the numbers proved it. “The magic and power of the Adelaide Fringe has economic, cultural and social benefits for South Australia and adds incredible value to the State,” said Mr Minear.

“The number of people visiting South Australia specifically to attend the Adelaide Fringe increased 11 per cent this year compared to 2015, which shows that interstate and international audiences are increasingly hungry to experience what the Adelaide Fringe has to offer.”

The 2016 Adelaide Fringe also generated $14.8 million in box office revenue – most of which goes directly to artists – a 64 per cent increase in five years. Ticket sales were up 11 per cent to 604,000 and attendances also skyrocketed to 2.26 million – an 8.4 per cent increase on 2015.

Adelaide Fringe Artistic Director and CEO Heather Croall said the Adelaide Fringe was by far the highest ticket selling multi-artform festival in Australia. “I am thrilled at the outcomes of my first year as head of Adelaide Fringe,” said Ms Croall.

“We recorded outstanding results across the board, Adelaide should be very proud of this incredible festival. The growth in the number of tourists coming to Adelaide Fringe this year shows the word is out, which is very encouraging and sets us well on our way to our target of tripling tourism numbers over three years.”

Arts Minister Jack Snelling congratulated Adelaide Fringe on the milestone and its well deserved success. “The Fringe not only captures the public’s imagination with its celebration of so many artforms, it also brings thousands of additional dollars, jobs and tourists into South Australia,” said Minister Snelling.

“The State Government, through Arts South Australia, is looking forward to helping showcase the world’s second largest Fringe, at the world’s largest – Edinburgh – as part of our Made in Adelaide activation in August.”

“As a long-time supporter of the Adelaide Fringe, the State Government looks forward to another exciting and dynamic Fringe in 2017 with Heather Croall and her incredible team at the helm,” added Minister Snelling.

The 2017 Adelaide Fringe will run from 17 February to 19 March. Artist Registrations open 16 August 2016. The program will be launched in November this year. For more information, visit: www.adelaidefringe.com.au for details.

Image: Puddles the Clown at the Adelaide Fringe