August 10, 2007

 

Durham Scores High for Concerts, Low for Entertainment

Street Music Scene Predictor for Creative Class

 

Analysis of Durham visitation from further than 50 miles away shows the community already scores above the national and competitive average for proportion of visitor stays (travel parties) here for any purposes who take in concerts/plays/dance.  Durham also excels in visitor participation in hiking, biking, and nature, and comes close to average for shopping, dining, watching sports events, and museums/art exhibitions.  Participation by Durham visitors in festivals is right at the national average.

However, Durham falls very short on visitors participating in overall entertainment, e.g. street music scene, clubs, etc.  Although, it isn’t for lack of opportunities.  It’s because Durham’s visitors tend to be older, better educated, higher income demographics that aren’t as likely to take in entertainment.  Participation in clubs and live entertainment is a third of the national average and less than half that experienced by competing destinations.

This may signal a soft spot in Durham’s standing as a draw for the creative class.  A lively street music scene is one of the key predictors, even higher than world class cultural facilities.  An active street entertainment scene needs visitor participation to be sustainable.  Durham has over 60 restaurants, bars, and clubs that stay open late, many with live entertainment, and on the average weekend, there are as many as 15 places with live entertainment scheduled.

Click here to subscribe to DCVB’s weekly Durham Community Event Calendar, which will allow you to receive details on concerts, festivals, and other nightlife via email.

 

 

 

RELATED ARTICLES & INFORMATION:

 

Durham’s 50+ Visitor Volume Sees Highest increase Since ‘99 [May 22, 2007]
Leisure Travelers Stay Longer, Business Travelers Shorten Visits

 

Durham Visitor Participation Outperforms State and Piedmont Averages [January 15, 2007]
Getting Visitors To See and Do More Is A Major DCVB Outcome

 

Things To Do & See:  Nightlife in Durham [DCVB website]

List of late night restaurants and bars

 

Things To Do & See:  Entertainment & Events [DCVB website]

Amusements, Cinemas, Places to See Performances, Nightlife, Ticket Outlets & Box Offices

 

 


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