Cornwall’s 2017 International Male Choral Festival is thought to have brought around £1million into the local economy.

After the largest event of its kind in the world - choirs from home and abroad are already signing up for the next of the biennial festivals in 2019.

This year’s final reckoning reveals almost 50,000 tickets were sold to enthusiastic audiences over the May bank holiday weekend – around a half of those for major concerts and competitions in Truro and half for sell-out regional events right across Cornwall, including in South East Cornwall involving local performers.

With 60 choirs and their entourages – from as far afield as Australia, the USA and Russia - involved in 50 events in 40 venues, organisers estimate the four-day Festival brought around £1million into the local economy.

Eighteen hotels across Cornwall hosted visiting choirs and they benefitted to the tune of around £350,000 in bed, breakfast and evening meal revenues.

The organises said Cornwall itself as a scenic visitor destination enjoyed widespread media attention as singers from nine to 90 performed at iconic locations like The Eden Project. 

‘It was a fantastic event which gave vast amounts of pleasure to so many people,’ said 2017 Festival Director Rob Elliot – who has already been taking enquiries and bookings from choirs wanting to join the 2019 festivities.

‘It was a choral, operational and financial success, and we are particularly indebted to the wonderful Cornish choirs whose enthusiastic support is so important for the success of the Festival.

‘The great news is that thanks to our patrons, sponsors and ticket sales we met our budgets and can confidently go ahead with the ninth festival in 2019.’

The next festival is from May 2 to 6, 2019 and details are at www.cimcf.uk