ORGANISERS of The Enchanted Forest, a Perthshire Big Tree Country event, are predicting that the event will break through the 30,000 barrier for the first time since the event began.
Ticket sales for the event have already smashed all previous box office records, so far welcoming over 27,000 visitors and, with one week still to run, expectations are high that a new record will be set.
The news comes just two weeks before the event goes head to head with some of Scotland’s biggest tourism operators at this year’s Thistle Awards for the coveted title of VisitBritain Marketing Campaign of the Year.
The Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company has successfully run the multi-award winning show since 2010, growing the event substantially in just three years by almost 50 per cent taking the event from around 20,000 visitors in 2010 to the highly-anticipated 30,000 visitors in 2012.
Eddie Thomson, chair of the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company, commented: “Every year, demand for the event increases and this year has been unprecedented with tickets selling faster than ever before.
“Our box office has worked around the clock to ensure everyone gets their tickets. This is fantastic news for the local area – with a 50 per cent increase in visitors coming to the show over the last three years, over half of which stay in the area overnight, it represents a significant boost to the income of businesses in the area, from shops to restaurants to hotels at a time when many businesses across the UK are tightening their belts.”
The 2012 show. ‘FLOW’, as been designed by a creative team led by Derek Allan which includes Scottish designers Simon Wilkinson (lighting) and RJ McConnell (sound), as well as Dundee-based visual artists Dalziel + Scullion, whose work is supported thanks to the generosity of a grant from Creative Scotland in celebration of Year of Creative Scotland 2012.
Together, they have created a dazzling and engaging show which not only celebrates ten years of The Enchanted Forest but is, in itself, a celebration of the stunning woodland setting in which the event is set.
Visitors have taken to the social networking site Facebook to express their appreciation for the show:
* “What an amazing night my daughter and I had there tonight, just so brilliant and everyone so nice and helpful thanks to all who make it possible.” Mhairie Dinsdale
* “My son has just got back from seeing the Forest tonight. He has autism and the whole light experience has stimulated him very much. Best day ever he said.” Julie Naylor
The show even prompted the country’s top tourism chief Mike Cantlay, chair of VisitScotland, to write to show organisers personally, expressing:
“It is one of the most exciting and inspirational creative exhibitions I have seen throughout this Year of Creative Scotland.”
Tricia Fox, marketing manager for The Enchanted Forest, said: “We are extremely pleased with the performance of this year’s show – there’s a lot of hard work and planning goes into a show of this scale and it’s rewarding that demand continues to increase year on year.
“There are some tickets left for shows this week however folks had better be quick if they are still thinking about coming to the event this year – they are selling out quickly.”
For further information about the Enchanted Forest and to purchase tickets, visit the Enchanted Forest website at www.enchantedforest.org.uk.
The show closes to the public on Saturday 27th October.
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Contact: Tricia Fox
Phone: 441738658187
Email: t.fox@volpa.co.uk
Website: http://www.volpa.co.uk
