Abstract

Having examined the conceptualisation of economic impact studies as well as the underlying methodological aspects, this paper analyses the following three economic impact studies of arts festivals: European Capital of Culture Salamanca 2002 (Spain), XI Festival de Flamenco de Jerez (Spain), and Glastonbury Music Festival (UK). The analysed data are mainly derived from the studies carried out by various researchers and institutions, as well as from several conceptualisation reviews. The paper ends with some critical reflections on the complexity of this kind of analyses, whereby the economic impact is just one of several impacts of an art festival to be taken into account by policy makers.