Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has been a monumental success for the artist. According to Forbes, the singer-performer is personally earning between $10 million and $13 million per concert night. With the tour gaining momentum and additional concert nights scheduled, it is estimated to surpass a total gross of $1 billion. However, as much as this tour has benefitted Taylor Swift, it has also significantly benefited various industries and local economies around the globe.
Let us learn about 10 things Eras Tour did that didn’t benefit just Taylor Swift.
Boost to Local Economies
In the first six months, the Eras Tour has grossed nearly $5 billion in consumer spending in the US alone. Each stop has had a substantial economic impact on local communities. This influx of revenue comes from increased spending on accommodations, dining, bars, retail stores, transportation, and local attractions in cities hosting concerts. Swifties spent an estimated $1300-1500 on outfits, dining, merchandise, and travel, boosting local economies. Denver’s two concerts contributed $140 million to the state’s GDP, while Cincinnati shows contributed $48 million, out of which $20 million were from out-of-town visitors.
The Australian leg of the tour could have contributed around $140 million to the local economies and S$300-S$400 million to Singapore’s economy during the concerts in Singapore. Singapore’s GDP growth for the first quarter of 2024 is set to increase by 0.2%.
Increase in Tourism
Thanks to the Eras Tour, the tourism industry has experienced a significant surge. Taylor Swift’s tour dates have been strategically selected to include major cities, spurring tourism in these locations. With fans traveling from different parts of the country and even internationally, this surge has positively impacted the hospitality industry, with hotels and Airbnb experiencing higher occupancy rates and extended stays.
Barclay reported around 1.2 million fans were estimated to visit the UK in the summer of 2024 for Swift’s 15 performances across four cities. An average UK fan was expected to spend 12 times the average cost of a UK night out; apart from the ticket cost, a fan spent £121 on accommodation, £111 on travel, £56 on clothing, and £59 on a pre-concert meal.
During the six sold-out concert nights in Singapore, fans were expected to spend $800 on local hotels, restaurants, and experiences.
Hotel Occupancy Rates
Hotel occupancy rates soared in cities hosting the Eras Tour. Eras Tour helped Cincinnati hotels gross over $2.6 million and Hamilton County hotels over $5.3 million. Chicago reported an average of 44,383 rooms occupied each night of Friday and Saturday that the tour was in town. The hotel occupancy rates touched an average of 96.8%, creating an all-time high record. The 51-show European Eras Tour saw the highest hotel prices across concert cities, with a 154% rise in Warsaw hotels, a 119% rise in Stockholm, 115% in Liverpool, 88% in Vienna, and 82% in Hamburg. A temporary increase in demand allowed hotels in smaller cities to raise room rates, further boosting their revenues. Some hotels in the UK are even creating special packages keeping Swift fans in mind.
Impact On The Food And Beverage Sector
Local restaurants, bars, and food vendors near concert venues benefited immensely from the influx of Swifties. According to a detailed report by MasterCard after the 20-US-cities Eras Tour in 2023, restaurants near the stadium saw an average increase of 68% per day during the tour days, while the average increase in the eateries in the 10-mile radius was 7%. Fans often dined out before and after shows, significantly boosting the revenue of local eateries and bars.
Boost To The Transportation Industry
The transportation sector saw a noticeable uptick due to the Eras Tour. Airlines, car rentals, and public transportation systems experienced tremendous increased demand as fans traveled to concert venues. Additionally, Air New Zealand had to add 14 flights and 2,000 extra seats to accommodate fans traveling to Swift’s concerts in Australia, highlighting the tour’s impact on the airline industry. Singapore-inbound flights increased by 186% as concertgoers traveled from China, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Employment Opportunities
The tour has generated numerous job opportunities in each city it visited. The tour has provided temporary employment to thousands of individuals, from the direct employment of stagehands, concert staff, security personnel, and vendors to indirect jobs in the hospitality and transportation sectors. It is estimated that hundreds of temporary jobs have been created in each city the tour visited, ranging from event setup and teardown to food and beverage services, providing a much-needed boost to local employment. It was reported in June last year that Cincinnati shows created or supported 902 jobs in the local communities, while six shows in Los Angeles created 3,300 jobs.
Record-Breaking Merchandise Sales
Swift’s fans, known for their enthusiasm, have spent millions on tour-related merchandise and memorabilia, including clothing, posters, and accessories. These sales not only boost Swift’s earnings but also support local vendors, manufacturers, distributors, and retail workers associated with these items’ production, marketing, and sales. During the Asian leg of the tour, it was reported that 100,000 items were sold online in a single day, excluding the merch sales around arenas and stadiums.
Philanthropic Endeavors
Taylor Swift has also utilized her tour as a platform for philanthropy. She has made substantial donations to food banks, educational programs, and local charities in various cities, further extending the positive impact of her tour beyond just economic benefits. Among others, she donated towards Feeding Tampa Bay while she was performing in the city, made a generous donation to Arizona Food Bank Network on her first show in Glendale, donated 39 million meals in Philadelphia’s Philabundance last year, and donated to the Edinburgh Food Project and urged her fans to donate £13 to the same.
In a gesture of appreciation, Taylor Swift reportedly paid substantial bonuses totaling $55 million to her tour employees, including dancers, sound crew, riggers, catering staff, and truck drivers.
Media And Entertainment Boost
The media and entertainment industries have also seen significant benefits. Coverage of the Eras Tour has driven high ratings and engagement for news outlets, entertainment blogs, and social media platforms. This widespread media attention has contributed to the tour’s overall economic value.
Sponsorships, Partnerships, And Brand Collaborations
The tour also opened doors for brand collaborations and sponsorship deals, benefiting multiple industries. Brands partnered with Swift for exclusive merchandise, promotions, and events, creating a symbiotic relationship that boosted their visibility and sales. These partnerships also provided additional revenue streams and marketing opportunities. Collaborating with performers like Sabrina Carpenter, Muna, Haim, Owenn, Paramore, and Phoebe Bridgers helped them gain popularity.