Internet sites boost festival ticket sales

The impact of the recession on local entertainment events was underlined last year when attempts to stage an extreme sports festival in Scarborough, including a concert by Madness at the Open Air Theatre, flopped due to disappointing bookings.

But organisers of Scarborough’s major arts event Coastival are bucking the trend by using sites like Twitter and Facebook to promote interest.

Thousands of people are expected to enjoy more than 100 events during the three-day festival from February 18 to February 20.

Ticket sales are going well, with only a few weeks to Coastival and interest is coming from across the country and abroad.

Coastival organiser Wendy Clews said: “Interest in Coastival 2011 has been growing dramatically and it has been helped by regular updates for followers on Twitter and Facebook.

“Comparing ticket sales and interest to the same point two years ago, there is a marked difference and many events are filling up quickly – which bodes well.”

Tickets and literature was being sent as far away as Germany and America.

“We are finding that there is a real buzz about Coastival 2011 and as we count down the days to the opening parade, it is getting really exciting,” she added.

Social media sites have been used to update followers on plans for Coastival and also offer website links to see examples of the work of some of those who will be taking part.

During the festival there will continue to be live tweets – messages on Twitter – and Facebook updates as the three days unfold, including performance clips.

Sign up on twitter via http://twitter.com/#!/coastival or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=32161078693 or search Coastival within Facebook.