by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:45 AM ET, Fri September 29, 2023
In a year when international travel eclipses domestic, one unexpected series of events is giving cities across the U.S. a much-needed boost in their economies: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
The first part of her global tour, which has been going on for the past five months, visited twenty cities across the country.
But what was unexpected was her economic impact, which rivals that of the Super Bowl. Fans of the artist, known as Swifties, averaged $1,300 in spending on travel, accommodations, food and more across the twenty cities that the artist has visited in the past five months.
Swifties have already spent $5 billion in direct spending across the country due to the tour, but the U.S. Travel Association believes the tour’s total economic impact could be higher than $10 billion. Cities that welcomed Swift on her tour saw record high occupancy rates at hotels as it drew travelers from across the country.
Los Angeles hosted the end of the first part of the Eras Tour, hosting six shows that brought an economic impact of $320 million to the city and creating 3,300 extra jobs.
Yet even less entertainment-heavy cities are benefiting from the tour: Pittsburgh’s two concerts generated $46 million in direct spending. The city saw its highest occupancy rate during a single weekend since the pandemic ended because of the tour, with occupancy at a city-wide average of 95 percent.
Entertainment can be a big catalyst for travel and tourism. While so many travelers are taking more international trips this year, destinations across the nation are discovering that short-term trips for entertainment, like those Swifties take to enjoy an Eras concert, can have a great impact on their economies.
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