Coldplay is about to bring a real “sky full of stars” to New Zealand, as thousands of fans across the country eagerly flock to Auckland to attend the renowned band’s tour. According to the latest data from Webjet, flight bookings to Auckland have surged by an impressive 87% during the period coinciding with Coldplay’s tour dates.
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Katrina Barry, CEO of Webjet Group, shared: “The travel boom in line with Coldplay’s shows highlights the rise of ‘tourism tour’, as fans turn concerts into the perfect excuse for a getaway. Webjet saw this trend take off with Taylor Swift’s tour earlier this year, and it’s clear it’s only gaining momentum. As concerts increasingly become gateways to explore domestic hotspots, we’re excited to see ‘tourism tour’ continue its strong growth into 2025 and beyond.”
Beyond flights, a similar story is unfolding in the city’s hotel sector, with forecasts indicating that Hilton Auckland will be fully booked on November 13th, 15th, and 16th. According to reports from STR, November 15th is anticipated to see the highest leisure demand for the hotel, reflecting the travel fever sparked by Coldplay.
This ‘tourism tour’ phenomenon showcases a significant shift in how fans not only attend concerts but also seize the opportunity to explore new destinations. Coldplay is not just delivering emotionally charged performances but also acting as a catalyst for tourism, with fans willing to spend on travel, accommodation, and experiences. This trend benefits not only airlines and hotels but also restaurants, entertainment venues, and other services that enjoy substantial boosts from the increased tourist traffic.
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Some fans have shared that they view Coldplay’s concert as a special opportunity to both enjoy their favorite music and create unforgettable experiences with friends or family. For many, this trip to Auckland is not just a concert but a complete vacation—a chance to delve deeper into the city’s culture and beauty.
To accommodate the peak demand, transportation services are also being ramped up. The 87% growth in domestic flight bookings to Auckland between November 29, 2023, and October 21, 2024, for flights occurring from November 12th to 16th, 2024, demonstrates a strong consumer trend. Comparing these figures with the same period last year (November 29, 2022 – October 21, 2023) reveals the undeniable boom of ‘tourism tour’, with trips aimed specifically at attending performances by famous artists.
It’s not just Coldplay driving this trend. Taylor Swift’s tour earlier this year also showed that concerts are increasingly becoming a type of vacation that many eagerly anticipate. When top artists like Coldplay and Taylor Swift turn concerts into tourism destinations, both fans and local businesses benefit from the surge in tourism. The data from Webjet is just one of many indicators highlighting the shift in how fans engage with music, transforming entertainment events into opportunities for travel and exploration.
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Looking ahead, ‘tourism tour’ promises to continue its upward trajectory, especially as more people choose to combine their love for art with travel. Destinations will become more vibrant, and music events will not only be venues for fans to see their favorite artists but also destinations attracting tourists from all over. Katrina Barry of Webjet anticipates that this trend is not just a passing fad but will continue to grow robustly, contributing significantly to the development of the global tourism industry.
In this context, Auckland is not just a destination for Coldplay fans but also a place where unforgettable memories are created for everyone who attends.
