Charleston Wine + Food by the Numbers and Why This Event is So Important to the Charleston Economy

Unless you are living in a cave in the Lowcountry, you know about the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. What you may not know is the enormous impact on our hospitality economy and its importance to the overall economic and lifestyle health of the Lowcountry.

Each year, the festival releases an annual report. Here are some of the highlights to show the grand magnitude of this 5-Day celebration.

Here is a breakdown by the numbers:

• Attendees to the 2023 Festival: 38,368
• Economic impact of the 5 day event: $31,982,121
• Measured economic impact on the Charleston region over 5 days
• Percentage that stayed in paid accommodations: 75.8% (53.6% downtown)
• Percentage of visitors from out-of-town: 42.64%
• Average spend per visitor: $1,687.17
• 87.4% of visitors came primarily for this event.
• Talent hailed from 6 countries and 30 states
• Furthest traveled: 8,868 miles (Chef from Thailand)
• Culinary Village: 17,365 attendees, 90+ chef demos, 73 SC based exhibitors
• City of Charleston Streetfest – 3,600+ attendees
• 190 local event planners + designers, event producers, beverage logistics companies, rental companies, security personnel, tenting, venues, and more.
• 189 independent contractors and 24 interns/fellows.
• 244 featured articles about the event.

Tickets Still Available for Some Events – Click HERE.

Source link: Charleston Wine + Food Annual Report

Related: The Charleston, SC Food Industry’s Recipe for Success: A Blend of Community, Diversity, and Giving

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