The Croatian government decided on Friday to financially support the annual Ultra Europe electronic music festival in Split until 2022 because of its positive multiplier effects on the national economy and promotion of Croatia as a tourist destination.

Since 2013, when it was first held in Croatia, the festival has brought numerous benefits to Split, the tourist industry and the state budget, as shown by a study commissioned by the Tourism Ministry from the Institute of Public Finance, the Tourism Minister, Gari Cappelli, said at a cabinet meeting in Split.

The Ultra Europe festival is a multi-venue outdoor electronic music festival, part of the Ultra Music Festival’s worldwide expansion, now spread to 20 countries. Ultra Europe debuted in 2013 in the Croatian coastal city of Split. In 2015, the festival became part of Destination Ultra, which now lasts a week across Croatia, and includes an opening party, the three-day festival itself, a yacht regatta, the Ultra Beach party in Hvar, and a closing party.

According to the study, last year the festival generated a turnover of 525.3 million kuna (€70.9 million), the bulk of which, some 447.6 million kuna (€60.4 million), came from spending by foreign visitors. Festival tickets accounted for the largest proportion in total spending, of 31 percent, followed by accommodation (24 percent), food and drinks (19 percent), and transport (11 percent). This year, the organizers expect around 160,000 people at the festival, coming from 140 countries. The most visitors last year were from Spain, Great Britain, and the United States.

“The marketing value of the festival is estimated at at least €25 million,” Cappelli said, adding that the festival’s contribution to the national GDP was roughly the same as that of two or three significant tourism investment projects.

This year, the festival will take place from July 5 to July 11.

(€1 = 7.4 kuna)

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