Bristol’s iconic Balloon Fiesta takes off this evening for is 46th year, with organisers predicting it will give the city’s economy a much-needed £22m boost.
The annual event, which this year has adopted a new three-day format rather than taking place over four days, has secured the backing of a number of major Bristol firms, including aerospace giant Airbus, cider maker Thatchers and craft brewer Butcombe.
It is also being supported by a number of the city’s top hotels, which are providing free accommodation for balloon crews and support teams.
The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) – which represents 40 hotels in and around the city with around 4,000 rooms between them – said it had responded to a call earlier this year from the fiesta organisers for businesses to back the event to help ensure its survival for many more years.
The plea for corporate support came alongside an ambitious five-year plan for the fiesta to help it soar to ever-greater heights as it heads towards its 50th anniversary in 2028, as well as futureproofing it to keep the spectacle alive for generations to come.
The reduction from four to three days has been made in a bid to bring down the spiralling costs of staging the event from £735,000 in 2019 to £1.1m last year.
Hefty price increases have come in areas such as hiring equipment and staffing – around 280 paid staff will be onsite at Ashton Court during the fiesta this year – while poor weather, the pandemic and inflation have also added to the financial pressures.
This year organisers hope the total price tag for staging the event will be closer to £830,000. 
Around a third of the fiesta’s income comes from car parking charges at Ashton Court – which range from £12.50 to £30 depending on the day – with a third from commercial fees to businesses and a third from sponsorship.
Among the hotels supporting the fiesta with free rooms are the Leonardo, the Radisson, The Bristol, Clayton and Delta.
BHA chair Raphael Herzog, pictured, said: “Every time it takes place, the balloon fiesta provides a welcome boost to our businesses, as many people look for accommodation in the city when they come for the event.
“It’s therefore only right – especially after we urged Bristol’s business community earlier this year to support the fiesta – that we practice what we preach and do what we can to help.
“I’m so pleased that BHA members responded to the request for help, as our way of demonstrating how much we value the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, which brings joy to so many people as well as a huge economic boost to many businesses in our superb city.”
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta executive director Ben Hardy, who has described the event as a fundamental part of the city’s DNA, added: “We are grateful to the Bristol Hoteliers Association for their incredibly generous support of the fiesta which, in no small way, has helped to keep the event going.
“By partnering with organisations such as the BHA we are able to create the best possible experience for all those attending – from our team of volunteers to the pilots and the punters themselves – and allow us to continue to soar to new heights as we approach our 50th anniversary.”
Airbus head of aerodynamics Simon Galpin, who also heads its Filton site, where it employs more than 2,500 people, said: “We’re so proud to be back at the Balloon Fiesta in 2024.
“This iconic event brings people from across the Bristol area, the UK and the world to see the spectacle of ballooning, aligning with Airbus’ commitment to inspire future generations to explore the world of aerospace.”
