Record crowds flock to Vivid 2013

Preliminary estimates have revealed that more than 800,000 people visited Vivid Sydney 2013 – a record attendance for the festival.

The 18-day event featured the longest Vivid Light Walk to date, the expansion of the Vivid Music program into new venues and more than 6,000 tckets sold for Vivid Ideas events. More than 40,000 tickets were sold for Vivid LIVE at tge Sydney Opera House.

It is expected to have delivered in excess of the estimated $10 million in economic impact for New South Wales, according to state premier Andrew Stoner.

"Vivid has huge appeal and has been successful in attracting visitors not only from the state and across Australia – where domestic travel packages were up 8% – but also internationally, with over 11,000 travel packages sold, including 7,200 from China," he said.

The Tourism and Transport Forum attributed the event's success in part to "ongoing commitment" from the government.

"The phenomenal success of this year's Vivid Sydney festival shows the value of continuing government investment and the importance of providing ongoing support for major events to continue to build their profile and popularity at home and abroad,' chief executive Ken Morrison said. 

Meanwhile, hotel firm Accor reported record results for its hotels in Circular Quay, The Rocks, Walsh Bay and Darling Harbour during the festival's duration.