Kaohsiung concerts drive NT$500 million tourism boom

高雄演唱會帶動新台幣5億元旅遊業產值蓬勃發展

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said Monday that concerts by K-pop group Twice and Taiwanese rocker Wu Bai (伍佰) brought in more than NT$500 million (US$15.9 million) in tourism revenue.

CNA reported that about 180,000 fans poured into Kaohsiung last weekend. The city’s metro hit 350,000 riders on Saturday, setting a new single-day high for 2025.

Chen said shops and night markets stayed busy well into the early morning. Many stalls at Ruifeng Night Market stayed open until 3 or 4 a.m. because crowds continued arriving, he said.

Next month’s Asia Artist Awards will likely bring another major wave of visitors, Chen said. He added that Kaohsiung National Stadium is already fully booked for all of 2026.

The city’s Economic Development Bureau said it handed out blue NT$50 discount coupons that fans can use at more than 40 night markets and 400 stores. The coupons will remain valid until February next year, it added.

The bureau also said 10 local bars launched themed drinks, offering buy-one-get-one deals or free snacks to people who showed their ticket stubs.

Twice and Wu Bai performed concurrently on Saturday and Sunday, with the K-pop group taking the stage at Kaohsiung National Stadium and the rock star performing at Kaohsiung Arena.