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Bristol Hoteliers hope to welcome Balloon Fiesta’s return
Hoteliers in Bristol are calling on businesses to back the city’s famous International Balloon Fiesta to ensure its survival for many years to come.
Event organisers announced last week that the festival will return to Ashton Court this summer but will run for three days rather than the usual four.
There had been some question marks over the future of the event, which in recent years has been adversely affected by poor weather, the Covid-19 pandemic, rising cost of living, inflation and challenges in the supply chain.
Switching from four days to three will help save money although event organisers say they plan a ‘Fiesta Week’ in the run-up to the evet itself, with a series of local balloon launches throughout the week, and ‘local heroes’ being given the chance to enjoy a flight.
The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) has not only warmly welcomed the return of the Balloon Fiesta, which was launched in 1979 and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the city every year, but has called on local businesses to help ensure its survival.
BHA Chair Raphael Herzog said: “The announcement that the International Balloon Fiesta is returning this year is excellent news as this well-regarded event helps to put Bristol on the map in a very positive way.
“It also, of course, provides a welcome boost to our members as many people look for accommodation in the city when they come for the event.
“It’s no surprise that the organisers have faced increasing financial challenges in recent years, for various reasons.
“We are calling on hotels and all local businesses to get behind this event, which is a huge asset to the city.
“We are urging local businesses to get fully behind it and support the fiesta, with advertising or anything else they can do in order to help the funding of the event.
“It’s not far away from reaching its 50th anniversary now, and it’s time for the whole city to come together and support it to ensure it survives for at least another 50 years.”
