Singapore seems to have struck gold once more with the country being the only stop in Southeast Asia for Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” tour.  Last year, Singapore made headlines after it managed to secure Taylor Swift as her only stop for the Southeast Asia leg of her “Eras” tour. From Swift’s stop in Singapore, various news outlets estimate Singapore received a $370 million boost to its economy. Booking services also revealed how the tour caused a spike in searches for accommodations in Singapore.

Singapore isn’t our only neighbor stepping up its game in finding bankable musicians for big concert tours. One example is South Korea’s intense lineup of upcoming concerts and festivals. This year has the country prepping for Blackpink’s world tour, Zerobaseone’s first fan concert, Hans Zimmer, Oasis’ grand reunion tour, and Grammy Award-winning rapper Tyler, the Creator.

In the Philippines, we’re starting to see a trend in local music festivals inviting foreign artists to the lineup. More international artists have also begun having performances in areas outside of Manila, like Cebu, Bulacan, and Boracay, to name a few. Though we’ve seen more performers coming in, other countries still seem to lead in drawing in visitors through musical tourism. In some instances, it’s due to ticket rates being ridiculously high. There have been some cases of people opting to watch a concert abroad since tickets were sold at cheaper prices with the flight and accommodations already accounted for.

Another factor is how countries like South Korea are simplifying their visa application process, making their countries more accessible for tourists. Through a partnership with the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC), Filipinos can use W Express to simplify their travel experience. W Express provides convenience through its nationwide access with over 100 branches, exciting perks such as the chance to win an American Tourister luggage for each visa application, and exclusive discount rates within Metro Manila. “Our collaboration with W Express has greatly enhanced the visa application process for Filipino travelers,” shares KVAC managing director Ahn Kyu Suk. “Since the start of our partnership, W Express has consistently delivered on its mission to simplify travel preparations. They have been instrumental in helping us welcome more fans to experience the vibrant culture and music that Korea has to offer.”