Gig tourism catches on in metros

Having holidayed in Prague last year, Marine Drive resident Marco Wadia, 56, had little reason to revisit the Czech capital. But he booked himself another trip there after a travel agent told him that US alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers would be playing there in July. “The concert alone prompted this vacation,” he said.

Having holidayed in Prague last year, Marine Drive resident Marco Wadia, 56, had little reason to revisit the Czech capital. But he booked himself another trip there after a travel agent told him that US alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers would be playing there in July. “The concert alone prompted this vacation,” he said.

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A niche but growing segment of high-end travellers is planning holidays abroad with tour itineraries built around major gigs.

“Owing to rising demand, we have this year begun sending out e-mails to regular clients, informing them about upcoming gigs,” said Subhash Motwani, director of Compact Travels.

Fund manager Pushkar Tewari, for instance, booked his flight tickets for Berlin after he had confirmed his tickets for a Bruce Springsteen concert in May. “It has been my teenage dream to see him play live,” said the 44-year-old Powai resident.

A recent survey conducted by travel portal Expedia.com to study travel habits across metro cities found that although gig tourism accounts for only 7% of the $7.1 billion market, the size of this segment is growing.

Gigs have also become a popular networking platform for businessmen. “They use concerts to break the ice with foreign collaborators and weave in a family vacation too,” said Iqbal Mullah, president of Travel Agents Association of India.