UK Music and VisitBritain have unveiled a comprehensive Great British Music Festivals map as part of the Music is GREAT campaign.

Launched in this, a heritage year, the interactive map which has been created in conjunction with CPA, AIF and AFO, highlights more than 500 commercial music festivals taking place all around the country adding £864million to the British economy and entertaining 7.7 million fans.

A comprehensive economic study of music tourism reveals British festivals attract 357,000 international music fans who contribute 18 per cent (£247million) of total music tourist spending.

Jo Dipple, chief executive of UK Music said: “I am thrilled that we could work with Visit Britain on the Great British Music Festivals Map.

“The music industry makes a huge contribution to the economy and tourism, and I am glad this is recognised.

“The map clearly shows the strength and diversity of the festivals on offer, with all tastes catered for - it is clear to see why people travel from all over the world to enjoy what we offer.

“The live music industry is changing and growing all the time, I am very excited about this change and the effect it is having on our growing industry.

“We know most visitors and journalists are here for the Olympics this year, and won’t have the time to visit one of our great festivals, but we would love you to come back in 2013,” Dipple added.

From the End of The Road and Reading & Leeds, to T-In the Park and Glastonbury’s world famous Pyramid stage, British Festivals provide a global stage for everyone from international stars to lesser-known bands. 

Laurence Bresh, director of marketing at VisitBritain said: “Music is very much part of the British DNA and the fantastic Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Games showed the world the amazing variety of music that we produce here.

“Overseas visitors can come and enjoy all kinds of music at our unrivalled range of year–round festivals, concerts and gigs.

“From Glastonbury to Glyndebourne we know how to throw some of the biggest music celebrations and how to celebrate a great tune.”

The map can be seen here.