TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Hotel occupancy rates in Kaohsiung have surged to 90% as K-pop powerhouse Blackpink performs two concerts over the weekend.
The city has turned into a major venue for international music stars, hosting the likes of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, Bruno Mars, and Super Junior. The four members of Blackpink arrived in Kaohsiung on Friday ahead of shows for their “Deadline World Tour” scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
In 2023 and 2024, more than 70% of concertgoers spent the night at a Kaohsiung hotel, the city’s Tourism Bureau said. As a result, consumption in the hotel sector surged 48%, while restaurant spending rose 10%, per CNA.
Most people staying at hotels for concerts came from Taipei, New Taipei, and Taichung, with 15% also visiting from Tainan and Pingtung. The Tourism Bureau estimated that so far this year, Kaohsiung had hosted more than 90 concerts, attracting 1.12 million visitors and creating revenue valued at NT$3.3 billion (US$107.71 million).
Fans from inside the country spent an average of NT$4,739 on hotels, while visitors from overseas spent NT$8,772. Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said convenient traffic links, abundant tourism resources, and reasonable prices had turned the city into a new hotspot for concerts in Asia. He also pointed out the presence of several concert halls and arenas suitable for hosting major public events.
The Blackpink concerts are the latest example of Kaohsiung’s potential to turn music events into magnets for international tourists, officials said. In the run-up to the weekend shows, several city landmarks turned pink, while personalities including former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) digitally colored their hair pink as a sign of support.
