Arts, culture and sporting events supported by Welsh Government through Event Wales generated more than £40 million for the economy in 2024.
This represented a ten to one return on investment, with approaching £4 million provided to support a total of 35 events last year.
Successful events included the Women’s Tour of Britain cycle race, Wheelchair Fencing World Cup, Hijinx Unity Festival and the first Cardiff Music City Festival.
Almost 170,000 additional visitors were attracted into Wales by funded events last year, and they also supported over 900 jobs in the wider tourism economy.
They created around 4,000 work experience and volunteer opportunities, and showcased almost 1,000 Welsh, or Wales based, performing artists.
Providing funding support to events that draw visitors to Wales is a key aim of National Events Strategy for Wales 2022 to 2030.
The Between the Trees Festival, which takes place in Candleston Woods in Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend, attracts almost half its audience from outside the country each August bank holiday weekend.
In 2024, with Event Wales support, the festival attracted around 20% more visitors. It also provided up to 50 volunteer placements to community groups across the Bridgend region, and received national newspaper coverage.
Major future events are already secured up to 2030, including a stage of Tour de France in 2027 and six matches of EURO 2028 being held in Cardiff.
This July, the AIG Women’s Open will also be staged at The Royal Porthcawl Golf Club – the biggest women-only sporting event ever to be held in Wales.
For further information please select the following link: Supported events achieve huge return on investment | GOV.WALES