Music festival brings in the dollars

Last year's Adam Chamber Music Festival brought more than $2 million to the Nelson region, according to a recently released economic assessment report.

The report, commissioned by the Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency from Wellington-based McDermott Miller, surveyed international and domestic audiences and found that the total spend in the region was $2.4m. There was a net economic benefit to Nelson city of $1.5m, or the equivalent of 35 fulltime jobs.

Nearly 40 per cent of this was spent on accommodation, with restaurants, shops, land transport, leisure activities and business services accounting for the remainder.

Festival manager Roger Lloyd said he was pleasantly surprised to meet audience members who had travelled from Britain, Denmark, the United States and Australia specifically to attend.

"I think these encouraging figures confirm that the festival has a national and international profile that draws many cultural tourists to the region."

The festival is presenting a gala fundraising concert and dinner at the Boathouse in Nelson next Tuesday, February 16, at 7pm. The New Zealand String Quartet will play music by Schubert, Beethoven, Debussy, Elgar and Gershwin.

• Tickets are $115 and are available from Everyman, Hardy St, Nelson, ph 035483083.

- © Fairfax NZ News