Kaohsiung Mayor Shares Secret of How the City Is Turning Concerts into Tourism Wins

Digital travel platform Agoda launched a brand-new episode of its online interview series Agoda Dialogues including Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai. The discussion, hosted by Jishan Chai, Country Director for Taiwan at Agoda, develops on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Agoda and the Kaohsiung City Government in September 2026 to grow the citys profile amongst global tourists.

Summarizing the citys appeal, Mayor Chen stated: Its various each time you go to, complete of life and vigor. Checking out Kaohsiung, comprehending Taiwan: Kaohsiung is the very best option. That concept lags the citys tourist brand name, KEEP VIBRANT, KAOHSIUNG.

According to the Kaohsiung City Governmentshows have actually produced a cumulative NT$ 18.9 billion (US$ 576 million) in tourist output given that 2023, with 157 performances and 1.71 million guests in 2024 alone. Mayor Chen discusses how the city is utilizing data-driven governance to transform that occasion calendar into longer, higher-value stays. He kept in mind that the citys figures reveal that around 70% of concertgoers take a trip from other Taiwanese cities or overseas, remaining approximately about 23 hours, which the citys objective is to extend that to an additional day turning 23 hours into 40 hours by connecting shows to night markets, regional food and close-by tourist attractions.

To accomplish this, the city examines visitor information by age, origin and interests, and deals with hotels, the bus network and rail operators to take advantage of each see. Concertgoers who provide ticket stubs get discount rates and coupons for regional restaurants and industrial districts. Mayor Chen explained a day-and-night service effort constructed on cross-departmental coordination. He likewise remembered a minute that went viral online: MRT personnel spontaneously burglarized tune at a station to captivate fans waiting on trains after a program, with commuters even asking for tunes.

Agodas own lodging search information shows that need. Throughout the current BTS performances at Kaohsiung National Stadium, the Philippines was the leading market looking for Kaohsiung lodging, with interest growing almost 3x. Japan saw the steepest dive at 14x, followed by Singapore (8x), and Hong Kong and Thailand (both 2x).

Beyond shows, Mayor Chen highlighted 2 more pillars of Kaohsiungs tourist technique. The citys Circular Light Rail, which finished its complete loop in 2024, links Pier-2 Art Center, the Kaohsiung Music Center, Dream Mall and a leafy green passage residents compare to a Totoro Tunnel, using visitors what Mayor Chen called the very best and most cost effective method to see how the city has actually changed. He likewise indicated the yearly Winter Wonderland celebration, which integrates complimentary admission with tourist attractions such as the Rubber Duck in 2024 (approximately 9 million sees) and Ultraman in 2026 (around 7 million check outs), regional food stalls and family-friendly activities to pull visitors south throughout the Lunar New Year duration. The Kaohsiung City Government approximates the celebration has actually created NT$ 36.6 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) in cumulative financial effect over 3 years.

At Agoda, were constantly searching for methods to bring tourists closer to individuals and concepts forming the locations they enjoy, stated Jishan Chai, Country Director at AgodaThrough Agoda Dialogues, Mayor Chens point of view provides an important take a look at how Kaohsiung is linking significant occasions, regional experiences, and hassle-free transportation to offer tourists more factors to remain and check out.

Travelers motivated to check out Kaohsiung can search offers on lodging, flights, and activities on Agoda, which provides over 6 million vacation homes, more than 130,000 flight paths and over 300,000 activities that can all be integrated in a single reservation. Download the Agoda app for the very best offers or see agoda.com/playtheharborTW to begin preparing.

View the Agoda Dialogues interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_-SwBSy2J0&t=1s