Report shows 2024 Byron Bay Bluesfest contributed $230 million into NSW economy

A report commissioned by the organisers of Byron Bay's Bluesfest has indicated that this year's event contributed more than $230 million to the NSW economy.

With the 2025 festival scheduled to be its last, the report by Queensland-based company Lawrence Consulting, suggests what the region is set lose when its 35-year history ends next year.

Author Reuben Lawrence says that the figure includes what happened beyond the confines of the festival site at Tyagarah near Byron Bay.

Lawrence told the ABC “we're (also) talking about how much people spend outside of the festival.

"It's a catalyst for people to spend more time holidaying in NSW, and we capture that too."

The report found the festival generated $42 million for the Byron Shire and $83 million across the Northern Rivers region, providing work for 748 full-time employees.

Lawrence said the findings were based on data generated by an extensive survey of spending habits completed by more than 1,300 patrons, noting “we know that patrons spend about $425 a day in the local area, outside of what they spend at Bluesfest itself.”

The data showed the biggest winners across the Byron Shire were the arts, accommodation and food sectors with arts and recreation services generating $25 million in spending over the festival period, more than a quarter of the total spend across the Byron Shire.

Calling the report's findings "bittersweet", Bluesfest co-founder and Executive Chairman, Peter Noble told the ABC “this is an amazing achievement not only for the Byron Shire but for the entire state, demonstrating just how significant Bluesfest is to our local and state economies, yet in 2024 Bluesfest lost money.”

While Noble said although at this point 2025 would be the last year for Bluesfest, "it doesn't have to be", noting “under current economic conditions, we simply cannot continue and that's why we have asked for NSW Government support.

"We’re not looking for a handout, we're looking for a hand up as our industry grapples with the cost-of-living crisis and other challenges."

An e-petition calling on the NSW Government to provide funding to keep the festival alive, started by local Greens MP Tamara Smith, currently has about 6,000 signatures.

The region has already suffered economic blows caused by the loss of events such as Splendour In The Grass and Falls Festival.

Images: A report commissioned by organisers of Byron Bay's Bluesfest shows it pumped more than $230 million into the NSW economy this year (top) and fans at Bluesfest 2024 (below). Credit: Bluesfest.