According to a May report titled “The Sustainable Experience Economy” by auditing firm Deloitte, traveling to attend events is on the rise this year.

When Taylor Swift’s “Eras tour” hits Singapore next year, Rjay Ignacio says he’ll be there – whether he has a ticket or not.

“Taylor Swift has a huge fan base in Asia. So the probability of getting a ticket is very small,” said Filipino YouTube content creator Rjay Ignacio. But that didn’t stop him from making travel plans.

“If I can’t buy a ticket, I’ll still go to Singapore. I’ll go to the parking lot just to listen and feel the performance,” Ignacio said.

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aylor Swift performs on the “Eras tour” in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA on June 30, 2023. Photo: Getty Images

A growing trend

According to financial information channel CNBC (USA), Ignacio is part of a growing trend of international travel to enjoy music, sports and other major events — a phenomenon fueled by mixed between YOLO (You Only Live Once, roughly translated: You only live once) and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out, roughly translated: The feeling of fear of missing out) mentality after many years of blockade due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a May report titled “The Sustainable Experience Economy” by auditing firm Deloitte, traveling to attend events is on the rise this year.

Based on a survey of about 3,500 Americans, the report notes that the most popular motivations for traveling — spending time with loved ones and relaxing — have remained relatively stable.

“However, 2023 has seen a jump in dynamics that appeared to be stifled by the pandemic – like special events and romantic getaways,” the report said.

Farhan Abrol – an American who attended the French Open and Wimbledon tennis tournaments in the past month – said: “The pandemic has put a halt to travel and major music and sporting events, but “for now it’s definitely There is definitely a recovery.”

Travel for the ‘best seats’

Kanyarat Teawprasong – a Thai – bought tickets to see Taylor Swift perform in Singapore during a ticket sale last week, where the number of people queuing online to buy tickets reached more than 1 million.

Now, she and her boyfriend are planning a three-day trip to Singapore. Teawprasong said this will be her fifth time traveling to listen to a concert.

“The first entry and exit stamp on my passport is to attend concerts. I am someone who really enjoys going to concerts, especially in Korea, Japan, Taiwan (China), Hong Kong (China) and Singapore,” Teawprasong told CNBC.

Teawprasong added that occasionally, some of her favorite bands come to Thailand to perform, but she chooses to see them elsewhere for the travel experience. Additionally, “sometimes the reason I attend concerts abroad is to ensure the best seats.”

Kanyarat Teawprasong appeared at a Blackpink performance. Photo: Kanyarat Teawprasong

Spend a lot

According to CNBC, with more people willing to travel abroad to attend major events, cities that attract top events like Singapore – Taylor Swift’s only stop in Southeast Asia – will witness Millions of dollars from abroad poured into local hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

According to research company QuestionPro, each Taylor Swift fan (also known as Swifties) spends an average of $1,330 on event tickets, food and travel. But those who travel internationally have the ability to spend more, a fact that is made more apparent by the rising costs of travel, and often even higher around important events. .

Many companies have emerged to serve these tourists. Entertainment company Live Nation’s website is selling packages to attend the Austin City Limits music festival in Texas in October starting at $1,366, as well as a “VIP Experience” package to attend the show. “U2:UV’s shows” in Las Vegas later this year with prices starting at $1,535.

“Some of the international events we host include Dancing in the Sand, a weekend in the Bahamas hosted and curated by music legend Lionel Richie. We predict that musical crossover and tourism will continue to increase,” Harvey Cohen – the company’s president – told CNBC.

How to save costs

According to travel software company Navan, average hotel prices in the US increased by 50% when Taylor Swift’s “Eras tour” arrived in the country from March this year, especially in places like Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. .

Therefore, Wid – an Indonesian – said that to avoid facing “sky-rocketing price increases”, one of his friends booked a hotel in Singapore before Taylor Swift’s concert tickets went on sale. He asked not to register with his full name because he bought show tickets for someone else for a fee.

Nan Palmero – a Uruguayan – said that the prices of rooms and flights of Qatar Airways have increased during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha.

“By the time we landed, all the hotels were booked or said to be for people with VIP packages,” Palmero said.

Palmero and his father eventually booked a two-bedroom apartment managed by Accor.

Palmero said the 2022 FIFA World Cup is the first time he and his father have traveled internationally to attend a sporting event. “I jumped at the chance because it was a global event in a place I had never been to.” Photo: Nan Palmero

As for the flights, Palmero said: “We started the trip by flying to Istanbul on a Delta plane, stayed the night at an airport hotel, then flew to Doha on a Qatar plane Airlines.”

Returning to Rjay Ignacio, he expected that plane tickets to attend Taylor Swift’s concert would be very expensive. Instead of flying directly from the Philippines to Singapore, he said: “I’ll fly to Malaysia first.” From there, Ignacio plans to take a six-hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, which he estimates could save him up to $400.