BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA

IMPACT REPORT 2017

VISITOR OVERVIEW

OVER 150 PILOTS FROM FOUR

500,000
HOT AIR ALL OVER FANTASTIC DAYS
VISITORS
BALLOONS THE WORLD OF FREE FUN
FLYING HIGH
Set in the beautiful parkland of Ashton Court Estate,
the 39th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta hosted
the world’s best hot air balloon pilots and teams. The
mass ascents of 150 or more hot air balloons every
morning and evening was a spectacle only seen across
Bristol each year during the Fiesta weekend.
The lively excitement experienced during these mass
ascents was topped with world famous displays,
alongside the Nightglows and Firework Finale.
This review charts the Fiesta’s key achievements and
acknowledges the tremendous support received to
make this world class event such a success.
ABOUT US
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a not
for profit organisation. Founded in 1979 the Fiesta
is Europe’s largest annual hot air balloon event,
attracting crowds of 500,000 annually.
The Fiesta is managed by a Board and Organising
Committee of volunteers who ensure the event
promotes the key objectives outlined in the
organisation’s constitution:
• The Fiesta should be a credit to the City of Bristol
• No admission charge will be made to the public
• The Fiesta will promote employment in the local area
OUR REACH

This year we saw a

significant increase in
our exposure via printed, 2016 DIRECT MEDIA
broadcast and social CIRCULATION VALUE
media platforms. VALUE
£484,031
2,297,756,823 (not Inc BBC)
 MEDIA REACH

FACEBOOK TWITTER MEDIA RESULTS

2,350,000 2,500,000 Print Coverage

120
Reach Reach
National and
international coverage
966 pieces

Broadcast pieces
and mentions
357 pieces.
MEDIA REACH
VOLUNTEERING

To help put the Fiesta on it takes

a massive team of 1,100 people to
make the event happen – 800 of
whom are volunteers. 72.73% 32,000 hours
of the team of volunteer
That’s a massive total of 32,000 are Volunteers time given freely
hours of volunteer time given freely
to help make the Fiesta happen.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
We recognise the importance of contributing to our
local communities. We do this by supporting one
official charity partner every year.

In 2014 and 2015 we supported Above and Beyond,

the charity for Bristol’s Hospitals, raising an incredible
£16,135.

Our charity partner for 2016 and 2017 is Great

Western Air Ambulance. You can find out more about
them and the great work they do by visiting www.
greatwesternairambulance.com. In 2016 alone we
raised £16,631 to support the Air Ambulance helped by
an amazing 156 volunteers contributing a total of 943
hours of volunteer time to the charity.

In addition we provide support the residents of the

three main local communities in close proximity to the
Fiesta site, Long Ashton, Leighs Woods and Bower
Ashton. We support these communities and have
provided fundraising prizes to recent projects.
OUR IMPACT FINANCIAL REPORT
48% of our visitors travel 50 miles or further. Income Summary Expenditure Summary
£15 million is spent by non-local people who The Fiesta is self- In 2016 the Fiesta cost
would not have otherwise been to the city. funding, generating £775,000.
In other words, for every £1 the Fiesta costs, £789,000 in 2016.
£25 is spent in the local economy by its visitors.

48% INCOME
SUMMARY
EXPENDITURE
SUMMARY
visitors travel 50 Car Parking 25% Overheads 14%
miles or further Catering 20% Ballooning 8%
Trade Stands 35% Visitor Services 45%
Sponsors 13% Event Infrastructure
Other 7% 30%
Entertainment 3%
OUR THANKS
PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS
COME FLY WITH US
We are always looking for high flyers to get involved with the Fiesta.
There are a number of ways in which businesses, community groups
and organisations can get involved.

Become a Partner
We have a range of sponsorship and partner opportunities to get
your brand engaged with our 500,000 visitors.

Become a Member
Members have exclusive use of the Fiesta’s Membership Enclosure
throughout the weekend, as well as access to a range of exclusive
networking events throughout the year.

Showcase your community or interest

We want the Fiesta to promote everything that is great about
Bristol and the West of England. We can provide your community or
interest group with the opportunity.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED
Please contact Ben Hardy

Telephone Email
0117 904 6509 ben.hardy@bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, c/o Richmond Event Management, 59 Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QH
Telephone: 0117 904 6509 Email: info@bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

facebook.com/bristolballoonfiesta @bristolballoon #balloonfiesta