Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook of BTS at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, USA on September 18, 2026. Tinseltown / Shutterstock.comThe return of K-pop giants BTS and BIGBANG to the stage is not only thrilling fans but also significantly impacting the travel industry across Asia. According to Amadeus Travel Intelligence, the tours have led to a surge in international flight bookings and hotel occupancy rates in key cities such as Singapore, Bangkok, and Nagoya.
In Singapore, BTS's concerts from 17 to 22 December 2026 have resulted in a 62% increase in international air arrivals compared to the previous year. The Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea are leading the charge with booking increases of 647%, 569%, and 342%, respectively. Hotel occupancy in Singapore during this period is up by 49%, peaking at a 68% increase on 19 December.
Bangkok is also experiencing a travel boom with a 41% rise in international air bookings for BTS's performances on 3, 5, and 6 December. Southeast Asian travellers, particularly from Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines, are driving this growth. Hotel occupancy in Bangkok has increased by 31% on concert nights, with room rates rising by 15% year-on-year.
Nagoya, hosting BIGBANG on 5 and 6 December, has seen a 100% increase in flight bookings compared to the same period last year. South Korea accounts for a significant portion of this growth, with a 185% increase in bookings.
Paul Wilson, Senior Vice President, Hospitality, Asia Pacific, Amadeus, noted, "With the rising popularity of K-pop, we are seeing a profound shift where the fandom of these internationally recognised bands is redefining tourism across Asia Pacific."
These trends highlight the economic influence of K-pop, offering destinations the opportunity to capitalise on increased visitor spending.
This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools. Spot an error? Report it here.
