The Hay Festival: a longitudinal study on its attributes and the sustainable impacts on a small Welsh town.

Abstract

Abstract This chapter reviews the changes that have taken place during the lifetime of the Hay Festival (an important literary festival for both the Welsh and UK events programme) and ascertains what effects it has had on the town of Hay-on-Wye. Earlier research in 2003 provided a historical framework for comparing newly collected data at the festival. This chapter attempts to clarify some of the significant changes that have occurred, seeking to identify any associated economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts as well as proposing actions to ameliorate any negative effects.