Abstract

This study examines the relationship between festivalgoers and the importance of added value in the festival experience. Aspects of added value are additional benefits or experiences beyond the festivals core advertised activities, such as personalised upgrades or souvenirs. Taking a consumer behavior approach and focusing specifically on music festivals in the UK, the research explores the extent to which attendee’s individual characteristics (frequency of attendance, motivation and preferred music genre) determines the importance of experiential attributes and added value. A total of 586 responses were collected using an online survey. The data were analysed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results show that the importance of engagement, services, generic entertainment, festival image and music is revealed to influence the importance of added value. Findings also reveal that festivalgoer’s psychographic and behavioural characteristics determine the importance of festival attributes.