Middle East Boosts UK Summer Festival Numbers

A new generation of young families from the Middle East have helped boost the music and food festival in the UK this summer.

Numbers of travellers from the region heading to outdoor events across Great Britain has increased this year and organisers are hoping it will continue.

Camp Bestival, a family music and food festival held at the end of July, was a particular favourite with families from the Middle East.

The organiser of the event, DJ Rob Da Bank, said the friendly atmosphere was a big attraction for parents and children of all nationalities.

He said: “When we are planning Camp Bestival we obviously imagine most people might come from the south of England or across the UK. But more and more we’re discovering people coming from all over the world and I’m delighted we are hosting so many families from the Middle East. Maybe we can do a pop-up festival over there one day as the feedback has been so strong”

Traditionally those leaving the UAE, KSA and other Middle East countries for the summer head to London as their main UK destination.

But the attitude to alternatives is changing – particularly if it involves outdoor activities.

Great British Outfitters, the leading outdoor fashion online retailer in the UK, have noticed this trend through sales between June and August.

They report a 23% year on year increase in orders from the Middle East – with purchases ranging from wellington boots for all the family to t-shirts and jumpers.

“The season of festivals in the UK is growing all the time – with more for families than ever – and we have seen a worldwide response to that at Great British Outfitters,” said company MD Johnny Bowen.

“We have people from the Middle East really getting into the classic British outdoor fashion for festival season. From last summer to this summer the main markets to increase has been the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

“It has been a traditional British summer with both sweltering heat and the wind and rain. That means people are buying for every weather, so we are selling as many wellington boots as we are t-shirts.”