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International and interstate visitors to South Australia came in droves to the 2019 Adelaide Fringe festival, up 72 per cent from 2018.
Almost $40 million was spent by interstate and international visitors at the event, up 24 per cent on last year, thanks to the 35,000 that flooded into SA during Mad March.
In total the much-loved arts, music and comedy festival generated $95.1 million, further entrenching its position as one of the largest of its kind in the world.
The festival's Annual Review, released this morning, showed how the Fringe generated $19.5 million from the box office from 828,563 tickets sold, up 17 per cent.
This makes the Adelaide Fringe the highest ticket selling arts festival in Australia and the second-largest Fringe in the world.
Attendances at free and ticketed events across the 31 days and nights of the festival jumped to 3.3 million, up 23 per cent from 2018, while visitor bed nights increased by 53 per cent to 150,257.
Fringe CEO Heather Corall says the 2019 Fringe surpassed all previous records.
"This year's results paint a clear picture of Adelaide Fringe's continued contribution to both the state's economy and cultural vibrancy, which is something we can all be proud of," says Corall.
Of particular note was the 2019 Fringe's signature project called Yabarra: Gathering of Light; an immersive Kaurna storytelling experience along the River Torrens, which attracted more than 200,000 people throughout the festival's duration.
Adelaide Fringe chair David Minear says the festival is a major contributor to the cultural vibrancy and economy of the city and the state.
"We have certainly experienced dramatic growth in recent years, with 2019 the biggest increase of all," says Minear.
"It's an event clearly embraced by record numbers of Fringe-loving audience members year after year."
"2019 was also a strong year for our extraordinary artists and great exposure for our many partners, venues and supporters."
These milestone figures come as the Fringe is due to enter its 60th year when it will host the Fringe World Congress.
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Business News Australia
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