The study on which this article is based, aimed to compare festival visitors’ expenditure at the Vryfees
National Arts Festival for two respective years. Surveys were conducted at the festival in 2011 and 2013
and frequency tables were used to draw a profile of visitors. At-test was conductedto compare festival
visitors’ expenditure on several aspects including accommodation, food, beverages, shows, retail, stalls,
transport and parking. Results indicate that the overall spending of festival visitors in 2011 and 2013
remained mostly the same. This serves as an indication for festival organisers to re-consider the festival
offering in an attempt to increase visitor spending, compete effectively in the festival market and to have a
greater economic effect on the host community
