The rise of music tourism

Getaways

The explosive popularity of K-pop has led fans to travel abroad to see their favorite groups up close in a new environment.

Music tourism, also referred to as concert tourism, is when people travel to a specific city or country for the purpose of attending music festivals and concerts. There are many examples that link music and tourism worldwide: People traveling to California to watch Coachella, to United Kingdom for the Glastonbury Festival, to Brazil for Rock in Rio, to Chicago for Lollapalooza, to Las Vegas for iHeart Radio Music Festival, or to South Korea for the Waterbomb Festival.

This trend will simply continue, for Filipinos at least, as evident in the ongoing Eras Tour of popstar Taylor Swift who seems to be skipping the Philippines despite the huge demand. The explosive popularity of K-pop has led fans to travel abroad, too, to see their favorite artists up close in a new environment.

Here are some tips from Filipino fans if you're planning to watch an overseas concert anytime soon.

• Do your research. Knowing what you're getting into is important. Research ticket prices, merchandise sales, fan activities, venue details (location and commute directions).

• Plan your itinerary and budget. Organizing your entire stay, whether just for the concert or for an extended vacation, will help you see how much the trip may cost. Create a schedule to see the expenses you might encounter. Some things to consider: Price of the ticket you want to buy, visa processing fee (if any), airfare, accommodation, Internet connection
(Wi-Fi, mobile data plan, e-sim, etc.), food for the entire trip, travel insurance, baggage fee (if any) and extra money (if staying beyond the concert dates).

• Take note of important dates. This can refer to any date that is relevant to your trip. For example, if you're a fanclub member, a fanclub ticket pre-sale will usually go first before the general sale. Remember this to get the best seats ahead of others. Some dates before D-Day (concert day) might be important as well, especially if you need to apply for something such as a slot for the merchandise sale.

• Spend within your allocated budget. It can be tempting to purchase or book something more expensive for your comfort, but this will entail adjusting your budget than what is planned. If it's a must, make sure you're still within what you allotted for your trip.

• Create a list of the things you'll bring. As a fan, there are some things you wouldn't want to leave behind (ex. light stick or banner slogan). A list will help you remember what you're supposed to bring (and pack when going home). A D-Day list will also ensure you don't miss anything before going to the concert venue. Pack your bags and don't forget to enjoy!

• Download a translator app on your phone. All details posted online and on-site are in the local language, so it's a struggle to understand where to go to find certain things (which area you can buy merch, where to claim a prize you won and which way is the entrance to your seat). When I went to Taiwan, staff have limited English knowledge. I needed to translate what I want to say/ask using the translator app and show it to them.

• Only carry a small bag when you attend the concert. Most events have bag size restrictions. I had to pay around 250NTD (P450) for the baggage counter. This also depends on the venue. Some venues have lockers available, and it only costs 50NTD (P90).

• Always bring extra cash if you plan to buy concert merchandise. In some cases, they only accept cash. I had to withdraw cash from an ATM at a convenience store and the processing fee was 200NTD (P360).

• In general, it's always better to go to the concert venue very early (two to three hours before the event) so that you can ask around. Being early allows you to have some time to eat in a restaurant nearby and rest while waiting for the event to start.

• Look into the venue. Double check the transportation available so you'll be familiar on how to go about to and from the show conveniently.

• Book a hotel near the venue. Anticipate the traffic. Set a plan B wherein the accommodation is a walking distance. This is for when you'll be having difficulty going home after the show.

• Set how long you'll be staying. Will you be there for the concert only or are you planning a side trip? It varies per country. There are venues that are far from the city proper so if you plan on going around, it's better to transfer hotels. Convenience is always the goal.