Agoda Reports Rise in International Travel Interest to Kaohsiung and Taipei During BTS and BIGBANG Concerts
Major K-pop concerts by BIGBANG in Taipei and BTS in Kaohsiung are boosting international travel interest to Taiwan.
Agoda data shows concerts are increasingly influencing travel decisions among international visitors.
Kaohsiung Sees Strong Growth
-
International accommodation searches for Kaohsiung during BTS concert dates increased 3.6 times compared to two weeks earlier.
-
BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' is scheduled at Kaohsiung National Stadium on November 19, 21 and 22.
Taipei Benefits from BIGBANG Concerts
-
International accommodation searches for Taipei during BIGBANG concert dates rose 38% compared to two weeks prior.
Kaohsiung's Growing Concert Economy
-
Since 2023, Kaohsiung's concert economy has generated an estimated NT$18.9 billion in tourism output.
-
The city hosted 157 concerts and attracted 1.71 million attendees in 2024.
-
Concert-related tourism is driving spending on accommodation, dining and local attractions.
Japanese Travelers Lead Demand
-
Japanese travelers showed the strongest increase in concert-related travel interest:
-
Taipei (BIGBANG): Searches increased more than 6 times.
-
Kaohsiung (BTS): Searches increased over 14 times.
Top Source Markets for BTS Concert Travel
-
Philippines (nearly 3x increase)
-
Japan (14.3x increase)
-
Singapore (8.4x increase)
-
Hong Kong (2.2x increase)
-
Thailand (1.9x increase)
Top Source Markets for BIGBANG Concert Travel
-
Japan
-
Philippines (+19%)
-
Thailand (+89%)
-
South Korea (+30%)
-
Singapore (+29%)
Economic Impact
-
International visitors attending concerts spend significantly on accommodation.
-
According to Taiwan's National Credit Card Center analysis, international concertgoers in Kaohsiung spent an average of NT$8,772 per card on accommodation, approximately double the spending of domestic visitors.
Key Takeaway
-
Concerts are emerging as a significant driver of inbound tourism to Taiwan.
-
Beyond attracting fans to event venues, major K-pop performances are encouraging longer stays and broader exploration of destinations such as Kaohsiung and Taipei, boosting tourism and local economic activity.
