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Kanye West’s China concert provides tourism boost

Kanye West’s first performance in China in 16 years has been credited with providing a tourism boost for the country’s economy.

West attracted around 40,000 fans to his show – billed as a “world tour listening party” – at the Wuyuanhe Stadium in Haikou last Sunday (15 September).

The event was held on the opening night of the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, contributing to an average hotel occupancy rate of more than 83% – double last year’s figure – according to data from the municipal bureau of tourism, with 95% of attendees travelling from outside the island.

The majority of fans were from Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Beijing, with others coming from further afield such as Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad.

The Los Angeles Times reports the show grossed more than US$7 million (€6.3m) in ticket sales, while Xinhua notes the concert is estimated to generate close to 373 million yuan (€47.2m) in total tourism revenue for the city.

“The show had a significant influence, with the vast majority of attendees coming from outside the island, bringing a large influx of tourists to Haikou”

“The show had a significant influence, with the vast majority of attendees coming from outside the island, bringing a large influx of tourists to Haikou,” says Lyu Xiaolei, deputy mayor of Haikou.

“These visitors are engaged in duty-free shopping and various cultural and tourism activities, which will greatly boost Haikou’s holiday consumption.”

A follow-up West listening party in Haikou is slated for 28 September. The rapper also performed at Goyang Stadium in South Korea last month. CAA cut ties with the 47-year-old in 2022 following his antisemitic comments and other controversies.

Xiaolei adds that Haikou, which is the capital of the island province of Hainan, is bidding to entice more global and domestic artists as it looks to build a reputation as an international city of performing arts.

Mariah Carey also performed in China during the festival, playing two nights at Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium on 15-16 September. And Wang Jiansheng, head of the Hainan Tourism Development Research Association, says that concerts by Western artists are on the increase in the country.

“Attending concerts has become a new form of social interaction,” adds Jiansheng. “Fans, mostly young people, are also the main consumers in the tourism market.”

 


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