Teens in Times concert boosts Haikou economy

As night fell over Wuyuan River Sports Stadium in Haikou, Hainan province, on Saturday, the electrifying beats of Chinese idol group Teens in Times' Crowning concert echoed through the tropical city, drawing tens of thousands of fans in a spectacle that underscored the growing synergy between live music and tourism in China's southern island province.

The two-day concert, which attracted around 35,000 people, has become a flagship example of how major performances have reshaped Hainan's cultural and economic landscape.

For many visitors like Liang Yiting, a tourist from Hubei province, the event was the centerpiece of a carefully planned holiday.

"We arrived on Thursday, spent two days exploring Haikou, and then we're capping it off with the concert," she said.

Haikou's government and businesses rolled out the red carpet for concertgoers, transforming the city into a hub for "music tourism". Free shuttle buses, discounted hotel rates and exclusive shopping deals at duty-free malls were among the perks tied to concert tickets.

"The duty-free promotions are incredible — just showing my concert ticket got me extra discounts," said Xiang Wan, a shopper at the China Duty Free Group's Haikou International Duty Free City complex.

At Haikou Meilan International Airport, dedicated fan service desks offered travel guides, while themed photo ops and pre-concert parties — with interactive games and free drinks — increased the excitement.

"This is my second time in Haikou for a Teens in Times concert. The city goes all out to make fans feel welcome," said Judy, a repeat visitor from Beijing.

Wang Li, another visitor from Beijing, said: "I love Haikou! On Friday, I saw Teens in Times' light show on the city's Binhai Avenue, and then I spotted myself in the city's fan-appreciation video at the concert. It was so touching! The city keeps innovating with tourism experiences around events — it really knows how to treat fans right."

To enhance the concert experience, Haikou launched targeted services, including curated hotel selections, suggested nearby attractions and themed tour routes.

The economic impact of the concerts was immediate. Travel platform Qunar reported Haikou's hotel bookings jumped 340 percent compared to last year's May Day holiday, with beachfront hotels near the venue operating at nearly full capacity. Analysts estimate that for every yuan ($0.14) spent on concert tickets, an additional 7 to 8 yuan is spent locally on hotels, dining and shopping.

"Following concerts and music festivals has become a new travel trend," said Wang Ke, director of Haikou's bureau of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports, which also hosted a five-day "Praise Haikou" summer lawn concert series. The event drew over 20,000 people on Thursday, its opening day, with livestreams reaching 330,000 viewers.

The surge in visitors has buoyed local businesses beyond the venues.

"The concerts bring energy and spending — everyone benefits," said a cafe owner near Wuyuan River Sports Stadium.

Haikou is keen to cement its reputation as a fashionable, vibrant travel destination. The city is transforming musical experiences into cultural connections, aligning concert memories with urban branding to tap into youth travel trends, Wang said.

Experts said such events are key to diversifying the appeal of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

"Concerts create demand, elevate consumption quality and foster cross-sector growth," said Chen Yao, director of the Hainan Tourism Development Research Institute. "By weaving music into travel, Haikou is striking a chord with young tourists and hitting all the right notes for its economy."

chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn