Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) today said that weekend performances by K-pop group TWICE generated more than NT$500 million (US$15.89 million) in tourism revenue.
The concerts, held over on Saturday and yesterday, drew a total of 180,000 fans to the Kaohsiung National Stadium, Chen told reporters at the Kaohsiung City Council.
Photo courtesy of Live Nation Taiwan
The city's shopping districts, night markets and hotels were packed with visitors, with some night market vendors staying open until 3 or 4am on both days, he added.
Chen said concert-driven tourism has given a boost to the city's visibility.
Next month, the Asia Artist Awards, a major South Korean entertainment awards show, would also be held in Kaohsiung, he said.
The Kaohsiung National Stadium is "already fully booked" for next year, Chen said, adding that any other groups wishing to perform there may have to wait until 2027.
At yesterday's concert finale, TWICE teased fans about upcoming Taipei shows, with on-stage screens revealing that in addition to the previously announced March 21 date, an extra performance has been scheduled for March 22.
Eight Chinese naval vessels and 24 military aircraft were detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait between 6am yesterday and 6am today, the Ministry of National Defense said this morning. The aircraft entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones, the ministry said. The armed forces responded with mission aircraft, naval vessels and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor the situation, it added. Eight naval vessels, one official ship and 36 aircraft sorties were spotted in total, the ministry said.
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