'Idol chasing' - a trend that benefits the tourism industry

The concerts attract tens of thousands of visitors to the city where the event takes place, contributing millions of dollars to tourism in particular and the local economy in general.

Around the world, the trend of "following idols", a witty way of saying that fans are willing to spend money and time to participate in shows performed by their idols, has made concert tourism flourish in recent years.

Economists from West Virginia University in the US conducted a study in 2020 and found that concerts are an economic driver, attracting not only domestic but also international visitors. Two concerts by the rock band Pearl Jam in August 2018 helped increase hotel revenue for the host city by $58 million and tax revenue from this revenue.

Blackpink, the group that is generating the highest revenue in a music concert series, during a concert in Los Angeles (USA) in November 2022. Photo: YG Entertainment

Some tourists even benefit by flying to other countries to see their idols perform. Shelby Messing, a fan of American singer Beyoncé, said she saved $1,000 by traveling from the US to Spain to "follow her idol". Her two-week trip to Spain cost about $2,500-3,000, including round-trip airfare, accommodation, a $27 Beyoncé concert ticket and a tour of Mallorca. If you watch in the US, VIP tickets cost about $3,800-5,000. Concert tickets in Spain are cheaper because they are subsidized by the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC), which contributes to the benefits for tourists who come to see the concert.

Same thing for Triada Cross, who flew to Germany to see two shows by her idol Beyoncé. The entire trip to Germany, including five nights in a hotel, round-trip airfare, transportation between cities and concert tickets, cost more than $3,500, the same as VIP tickets in the US.

According to a report by Future Market Insights, the global music tourism market will reach $11.3 billion by 2032, up from $5.5 billion last year. The demand for purposeful travel has increased the market share of music tourism. The heat of this industry has been further increased by the spread of social media.

The report also found that North America is the leading region for music tourism, with major music festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza. The average traveler spends a minimum of $300 on travel and accommodation in the US. In Asia-Pacific, the music tourism market is growing in markets such as South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

In late June, when Taylor Swift announced the dates for her 2024 Eras Tour, Singapore was the only Asian stop chosen. Taylor is not the first or only artist to favor Singapore. British rock band Coldplay, when holding their Music of the Spheres world tour, also increased the number of shows in Singapore to 6, more than the other countries where the band performed.

It's no secret that this tiny country of less than 6 million people has become a popular destination for world-class artists. Can Seng Ooi, a professor of tourism strategy at the University of Tasmania, says the Singapore government has been proactive in finding and partnering with artists to bring them to perform. Singapore is a destination. The event itself is a destination. People come to see the concert and they spend money in Singapore. "Concert tickets are not cheap. But the people who fly to Singapore are the ones who can afford it," Ooi says.

Since the 2000s, Singapore has established itself as the "events and entertainment capital of Asia" by actively attracting international artists to hold concerts. Taylor Swift's upcoming concert is an example, promoted by senior Singapore government officials. The Singapore Tourism Board has also collaborated with American singer Charlie Puth and Hong Kong rapper Jackson Wang to film promotional videos for the country's famous destinations. Earlier this year, Indian singer Anirudh Ravichander's concert sold out 12,000 tickets in two days. The same is true for K-pop group Twice. Many of those ticket buyers are from other countries.

IMC Group Asia, an entertainment company that manages concerts in Singapore, said Singapore is an ideal location for performers because of “good facilities such as hotels, food and transportation”. Ease of obtaining operating permits and visas is another important factor to consider.

The Malaysian non-profit Arts, Festivals and Events Foundation has hailed Singapore as "a concrete example of government and private sector working together to benefit the economy and tourism".

Concerts are one of the factors that will boost Malaysia's tourism after years of a pandemic-induced slump in the entertainment industry, said Syed Yahya Othman, Malaysia's top tourism official. "Malaysia is supporting every concert that is held here because the artists will bring their fans from all over the world with them."

Anh Minh (According to Time, We in Travel )

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/du-idol-trao-luu-giup-nganh-du-lich-huong-loi-4623886.html