L'Olanda è popolo di viaggiatori sempre aperti alle scoperte e all'innovazione. Pare che proprio dall'Olanda partiranno molti dei progetti europei per salvarci dall'innalzamento delle acque dovuto ai cambiamenti climatici. Parlare con Ruud Bongaerts ma anche con Elroy Thummler il socio e forse mentore, è sempre un buon momento per approfondire alcune tematiche. Loro con Festival Travel sono tra i promoter europei più efficaci, hanno fatto la fortuna di festival come il Sziget, Balaton Sound, Exit, Lollapalooza, Electric Castle etc. . Il corrispettivo olandese della Alternativa Events che in Italia svolge lo stesso ruolo da oltre 20 anni. Bene, Ruud è sempre un vulcano in eruzione, non si ferma mai e pochi come lui e la Festival Travel, hanno il polso della situazione. Ruud ha risposto alle nostre domande.

1) After almost a year from the total block of events, how do you see the future of the music industry in your country and/or in Europe?
Events who massively rely on international visitors will face a new challenging year. Only those who are eager and driven enough to organise an international event, included risk calculation and losses, are the ones who will continue the coming months. You can only say whether they were right afterwards. The top league of international events or concerts will be postponed or cancelled again. Though, when an event still/also welcomes a significant amount of national visitors, there’s a higher chance the event will be held coming summer.

My feeling is that music festivals in The Netherlands can continue in a toned shape and with several precautions such as speed testing taken into account. Demand exceeds supply. This trend will continue the years after, as our industry will bounce back to previous levels. Possibly not with several single huge events, but with multiple smaller events. There’s no error in our business case, in fact, 85% our target audience is still positive about a restart.

Travel and events will remain important for youngsters, students and young professionals.

2) In this period we had to reconsider many aspects of our lifestlye. Is there something that you finally had the time to do that was not possible before due to lack of time?
Yes! Home office increased personal time and will definitely be included in our future work.

3) Will the summer of 2021 be the summer of restart?
Yes and no. There will be events but not all. People will also be able to go on holidays (just like last summer) and therefore are able to combine holidays with music festivals, but it will feel like being sent back in time for 15 years. No huge crowds at Tomorrowland, no global gathering at Sziget, no full stadiums for Euro 2020 (or 2021). It will be the summer of restart as smaller events can continue. And a significant portion will be sold out.

Organisers need to lower the threshold for fans to buy tickets in advance, with full refunds, additional safety measurements and such. There are already more risks regarding travel and holidays so it’s to us to lower others.

4) In what color do you see the future? Can you explain why?
Green. As travel will be cleaner, festivals will have improved cleaning conditions and nature (where normally festivals were organised) had the time to restore from the past decade.

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