K-pop concerts fuel travel demand across Asia

Upcoming concerts by K-pop groups BTS and BIGBANG are contributing to increased flight bookings and hotel demand in Singapore, Bangkok and Nagoya, according to Amadeus Travel Intelligence.

International flight bookings to Singapore for arrivals between December 16 and 23, 2026, are up 62% year-on-year, coinciding with BTS performances at the National Stadium on December 17, 19, 20 and 22.

The Philippines recorded the largest increase in bookings at 647%, followed by Thailand at 569% and South Korea at 342%.

As of September 26, hotel rooms already booked for December 17 to 22 represented an average occupancy of 32%, up 49% from the equivalent booking point in 2025. For December 19, booked occupancy reached 40%, up 68% year-on-year.

Average daily room rates across the six-night period reached US$237, an increase of 6%.

In Bangkok, where BTS will perform on December 3, 5 and 6, international flight bookings for arrivals between November 30 and December 6 rose 41% year-on-year.

Bookings from South-east Asia increased 199%, led by Indonesia at 350%, Singapore at 296% and the Philippines at 206%.

Hotel occupancy booked for the December 3 and 5 concert nights was up an average of 31%, while average room rates during the concert week increased approximately 15% to US$121.

Meanwhile, international flight bookings to Nagoya doubled during the week of BIGBANG’s December 5 and 6 performances. Bookings from South Korea rose 185%, accounting for 37% of the total.

As of September 26, hotel rooms already booked for December 17 to 22 represented an average occupancy of 32%, up 49% from the equivalent booking point in 2025. For December 19, booked occupancy reached 40%, up 68% year-on-year. These figures reflect advance bookings rather than final occupancy rates.