Tourexpi
Pop culture is redefining global travel habits, with
live music and entertainment events emerging as major motivators for tourism.
According to the digital travel platform Agoda, large-scale concerts and
festivals are fueling a marked rise in both international and domestic travel
interest in Thailand.
Pop culture as a travel driver
The upcoming BLACKPINK concert in Bangkok, scheduled
from 24 to 26 November, has already led to an 18% increase in international
accommodation searches on Agoda compared to two weeks earlier. Travelers from Vietnam
(+266%), Malaysia (+107%), and Taiwan (+19%) are showing the strongest interest
— a trend attributed to the band’s absence from Malaysia and Vietnam on their
2025 tour and the group’s devoted following in Taiwan.
Within Thailand, enthusiasm is equally high: domestic
accommodation searches for Bangkok rose by 130%, driven by the immense
popularity of Thai-born member Lisa, whose global fanbase continues to inspire
local engagement with international entertainment.
Festivals turn Thailand into a regional travel hotspot
The appeal of major music events extends beyond K-pop.
Rolling Loud Thailand, the globally renowned hip-hop festival returning to Legend
Siam in Pattaya (14–16 November), has also become a travel magnet. Despite
limited details about this year’s lineup, Agoda reports a 36% increase in
accommodation searches for stays around the event dates, with the highest
demand from South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
Thailand’s own Wonderfruit Festival, taking place in Pattaya
from 11 to 15 December, has seen a 10% rise in international searches for
hotels in the Pattaya–Chonburi area. Interest is led by travelers from South
Korea, the Philippines, and Singapore. Known for its fusion of art, nature,
wellness, and sustainability, Wonderfruit offers a multi-sensory open-air
experience featuring farm-to-table dining, sunrise soundscapes, cultural
workshops, and architectural installations.
Thailand’s growing role as a global events hub
“As Thailand continues to host world-class events and
festivals, event tourism is proving to be a dynamic force in strengthening the
country’s position as a global travel destination,” said Akaporn Rodkong,
Country Director, Thailand at Agoda. “Agoda remains committed to supporting
travelers in discovering these experiences while making travel more accessible
and affordable.”
With over six million holiday properties, 130,000
flight routes, and 300,000 activities available, Agoda allows travelers to plan
entire experiences in a single booking.
Find the best travel deals on the Agoda mobile app or
visit Agoda.com to start planning your next concert adventure in
Thailand.
Image
Credit: © Agoda
The most interesting news
Read the News

WTTC expects global travel industry to grow 1.5 times faster than the wider economy
The sector is forecast to contribute 12 trillion US dollars to the global economy in 2026 and support almost 89 million new jobs by 2036
Read the News

Lufthansa shareholders approve all agenda items at annual general meeting
More than half of the company’s share capital was represented as shareholders confirmed dividend plans and elected new Supervisory Board members
Read the News

EXPLORA III unveils Northern Europe voyages and solar eclipse experience for Summer 2026
The new LNG-powered luxury ship will sail across Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America with no repeated itineraries during its inaugural season
Read the News

Spain strengthens position as Europe’s leading high-value tourism market
Spain generated €115.1 billion in international visitor spending in 2025, outperforming the European average for spending per traveller as global tourism expenditure surpassed US$2 trillion
Read the News

Colombia tops Global Big Day bird count once again
Colombia recorded more than 1,560 bird species during the 2026 Global Big Day, reinforcing its position as the world’s most bird-diverse country
Read the News

Yas Island to become home of Sphere Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi will invest USD 1.7 billion in the construction of Sphere Abu Dhabi, a new immersive entertainment venue planned for Yas Island with completion targeted for 2029
Read the News

Hilton study highlights growing trend of multi-generational holidays
New research shows grandparents are becoming an increasingly important part of family travel, giving parents more downtime and children more playtime
Read the News

Taiwan ranks among top Golden Week destinations for Japanese travellers, says Agoda
Search data shows rising interest not only in Taipei, but also in Taiwan’s coastal and nature destinations
Read the News

Delta expands fast, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi across global fleet
More than 1,200 Delta aircraft now offer free Delta Sync Wi-Fi for SkyMiles Members, combining high-speed connectivity with personalized entertainment and digital travel experiences
Read the News

Spain launches €15 million support package for sustainable tourism businesses
Hotels, restaurants, campsites and other tourism businesses in Spain will benefit from a new €15 million funding programme aimed at improving energy efficiency and circular economy measures
Read the News

Delta highlights employee focus and sustainability in 2025 ‘Delta Difference’ Report
The airline points to record employee engagement, profit sharing, operational efficiency and innovation as key drivers of long-term growth
Read the News

Eurowings introduces sneakers as standard crew footwear
Eurowings cabin crews can now wear branded white sneakers as part of their uniform every day, expanding the airline’s popular “Sneaker Flydays” concept across all operations
Read the News

Emirates taps GE Aerospace for repair capabilities
The agreement will support the expansion of the Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre (EEMC)
Read the News

Six Senses Joins the UNEP and UN Tourism Recipe of Change
A living expression of the brand’s sustainable ethos and Eat With Six Senses philosophy
Read the News

In a Sea of Sameness, Kempinski Group is choosing control
Kempinski Group has announced the acquisition of the Augustine Hotel, Prague — the groups wholly owned hotel in over five decades, says Barbara Muckermann
Read the News

Raffles Hotels & Resorts to debut its first Alpine resort
Located in Courchevel 1850, the most iconic address in the French Alps
Read the News

ASTA Travel Advisor Conference 2026
May 27, 2026 - May 29, 2026, San Diego, California
Read the News

Closing the gender gap requires tackling structural barriers, improving access to opportunities, and sustained commitment
Women do most of the work in tourism, yet they remain underrepresented in leadership
Read the News

Marriott International expands portfolio in Peru through landmark conversions
The two properties in Lima are set to officially join The Ritz‑Carlton and JW Marriott brand portfolios in 2028, reflecting the city’s rise as a leading global luxury destination.
Read the News

Radisson Hotel Group expands its footprint in Dubai
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Barsha Heights is a 537-room five-star city hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, affiliated with Radisson Blu, part of Radisson Hotel Group.

