Supported by Event Scotland, part of Visit Scotland’s Events Directorate, ticket sales hit a high, beating last year’s total by more than £55,000, and making it another record-breaking launch for the festival.
Whisky lovers snapped up the opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes access to distilleries that are not usually open to the public, as well showing demand for dining events, VIP experiences and connoisseur tours.
Ticket sales went live at 12 noon on Tuesday, February 5. The first hour was frenetic, with a spend of £170,492 and 95 events selling out in that period, claims the organisers.
There is strong demand from the US, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, as well as from visitors from the UK. However whisky lovers from Canada, Denmark, Norway, Japan, Spain, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Romania and Australia are among the early bookers.
Early demand for tickets has become a trend of the festival, and this year’s bumper results have been warmly welcomed by organisers who stress that with more than 600 events making up this year’s programme there are still many different experiences and adventures to be had for a wide variety of events.
Festival chairman James Campbell said: “The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival remains a massively popular event with visitors from around the world and we are delighted that so many people are eager to get their tickets as quickly as they can.
“As with previous years, the exclusive distillery tours are among those that have sold out first. The real whisky acolytes seek out very special experiences that are unique to the festival, so tours of distilleries not usually open to the public, went within minutes.
“We’re confident that the hugely encouraging sales over these first 24 hours will be maintained, and with more than 600 events included in the programme, there are still plenty of tickets available.”
This year, 5,864 tickets were snapped up within the first 24 hours of them going on sale, generating £209,449. In 2018, 4982 tickets sold in the same period, worth £154,000.
Event providers from across Speyside – claimed to be the ‘spiritual home’ of Scotland’s malt whisky production – have lined up a schedule of events for both whisky connoisseurs and first-time visitors from May 1-6.
From exclusive tours and tastings to heritage walks, whisky pairings, and community-led events with music and food, the festival offers something for everyone whatever level of interest or knowledge they have in Scotland’s national drink.
For more information and tickets, go to: www.spiritofspeyside.com
There are also regular updates on social media at facebook.com/ /WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram19
