Post event research has revealed that the 25th National Multicultural Festival generated a total economic benefit of $20.8 million to the ACT and enriched Canberra’s reputation as a diverse and multicultural community.
The festival achieved a total attendance of 380,563, smashing previous records. This was an extraordinary 273,965 individuals, with many people eagerly returning over the three days contributing to the record total attendance. Visitors enjoyed 266 stalls, more than 325 performance groups, 34 workshops, 16 cooking demonstrations, a record breaking 30 cultural showcases and the largest ever festival parade.
Additionally, 94.7% of survey participants believed the event raises the profile of multicultural communities whilst 93.8% affirm that holding the festival in Canberra creates a real buzz in the city.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Tara Cheyne highlighted the data demonstrated the holistic impact of the much-loved community-led event. “After a 2-year break due to COVID-19, the MultiCulti returned with a bang, with more than 40% of Canberra households attending in 2023.”
According to the IER Pty Ltd research report, over 30,500 interstate or international visitors attended the festival, with just under 18,000 of these travelling to the ACT specifically for the event. The festival created a substantial boost to the local economy, resulting in over 40,000 visitor nights and a total economic benefit of $20.8 million, large increases from the 2020 figures of 22,000 and $12.2 million respectively.
“I am proud that the scale and economic benefits of the National Multicultural Festival have been achieved by maintaining the strong community origins it began with in the 1980s, when the ACT Ethnic Communities Council held the first festival celebrating cultural diversity.
“More than 170 cultures were represented this year in Australia’s largest celebration of cultural diversity, and I would like to particularly acknowledge those who were represented for the first time. This was further strengthened in 2023 through the new National Multicultural Festival Community Panel Reference Group which played an integral role in the lead up to and during the event.
“The survey results found that 93.1% of attendees confirm the festival enriches and strengthens Canberra as a diverse and multicultural community – a testament to the key role it plays in supporting Canberra as an inclusive and welcoming city.
“These wonderful outcomes are due to the efforts and support of so many. I would like to thank everybody involved for your support, including the organisers, volunteers, stallholders, performers, businesses, showcase leaders and the hundreds and thousands of visitors who were entertained, delighted and fed throughout the event.
“We can’t wait for 2024!”
