Latest news with #culturalevents

Airbnb Reveals ‘Tour Tourism' Is Driving Holiday Spending

Hospitality Net

5 days ago

Business
Hospitality Net

Airbnb Reveals ‘Tour Tourism' Is Driving Holiday Spending

Key Takeaways New Airbnb data reveals a 744% spike in bookings on average for UK towns hosting the world's biggest music artists this summer, demonstrating the power of 'tour tourism'. Airbnb hosts enable cities and towns to accommodate increased footfall from music, sports and cultural events, which contribute £28 billion annually to the UK economy. With two in five hosts motivated to share their space during major events, locals in the surrounding areas are also set to boost their income this summer. Ahead of the UK hosting some of the biggest music tours and sporting events this summer, Airbnb reveals the impact of 'Tour Tourism', which contributes an estimated £28 billion annually to the UK economy1. As consumers prioritise spending on experiences over material goods – with spend on travel, entertainment and hospitality/leisure up 5.7%, 3.5% and 2.8% respectively year-on-year2 – hosting on Airbnb enables towns and cities to benefit from welcoming additional visitors during concerts, sporting events and cultural festivals. Two in five UK Airbnb hosts want to share their space when big events are happening in their area to take advantage of the increased footfall and boost their income3. With almost half (48%) of guests following a local recommendation for dining, shopping or activities from their host last year4, small businesses in the surrounding community are set to benefit too. Welcoming the next Era of passion tourism Bookings on Airbnb for UK towns and cities hosting some of the world's biggest music acts this summer soared 744%5 on average across the concert nights. New research finds that a quarter of consumers (23%)6 would travel for concerts, and Airbnb can reveal which stars are leading the way. Sabrina Carpenter's tour brought a Short 'n' Sweet tourism boost to locals in Glasgow and Manchester, who welcomed an 88% and +2000% year-on-year spike in guest bookings respectively for their concert nights, as people set out on trips to the cities they may not have otherwise visited7. Meanwhile Doha, Dusseldorf, Naples and Brisbane are the leading cities that international fans have travelled to the UK from during the star's concert dates8. Following on from the 'Tour Tourism' trend that swept the globe during the Era's tour, searches by UK guests for stays in Paris (+550%), Berlin (+1500%) and Brussels (1400%) shot up during Carpenter's tour nights9 as fans built entire trips abroad around catching the Espresso singer's live show. During Coldplay's tour dates in London, searches spiked on average 800% across their concerts, with overseas bookings for the British gigs stemming from Madrid and Paris all the way to Hong Kong and NYC10 – a testament to the band's enduring global appeal. But of course it's the long awaited Oasis reunion concerts driving the hottest travel demand for music fans this Summer. Searches for host cities Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester and London were up over 6000% on average for the concert nights, with Manchester seeing the biggest spikes and an increase of over 7200% for the city's final concert dates11. As the crowning jewel in the UK's music scene, Glastonbury will always draw a passionate base of international music fans from far and wide. But this year, it's all about finding a balance of R&R with South Somerset seeing a 108% uplift in bookings for the week after the festival as people leave their tents behind to recover and unwind with friends in a more luxurious stay12. Major sporting events drive fans to travel thousands of miles It's not just live music that is attracting crowds from abroad; sports fans are travelling for their favourite events too. When it comes to iconic British sporting moments, tennis fans are famously dedicated. As well as preparing to camp overnight for Wimbledon ground entry, fan searches on Airbnb for stays in London during the tournament this Summer shot up over 1000% year-on-year when the ballot was selected13. International guests from Sydney and Abu Dhabi are covering thousands of miles to be at the iconic tournament, while there have also been uplifts in bookings from Italian, Dutch and Belgian guests – leading the charge for international travellers looking to sample the Pimms and major matches IRL this year. Rounding out the calendar for travelling sports fans, searches for Airbnb stays in Buckinghamshire increased 61% year-on-year over the weekend of this summer's Silverstone Grand Prix, with guests from cities in Belgium and Florida topping the table of international visitors expected to attend14. Female fans are leading the way for 'lights out and away we go' stays – making up the majority of guest bookings for both Buckinghamshire and Northampton the weekend of the Grand Prix15. This summer is set to be a monumental occasion for events in the UK with the economy expected to benefit from the current cultural prominence of 'fandom'. Airbnb is at the heart of connecting travellers with the things they love – whether it be music, sport or culture. With tour tourism on the rise and more guests travelling to pursue their passions, we're proud to support hosts across the country to boost their income, promote their local area, and help local communities benefit from additional visitors. Luke Impett, Airbnb UK Partnerships Lead UK Events Report, October 2024 Barclays Consumer Spend Index, April 2025 Based on feedback from over 5,000 Airbnb hosts surveyed between 1 Jan 2024 and 2 Feb 2025. All additional host-centric survey data in this report originates from this survey Based on feedback from over 5,000 Airbnb hosts surveyed between 1 Jan 2024 and 2 Feb 2025. All additional host-centric survey data in this report originates from this survey Average year-on-year change in bookings from British guests for UK cities the weekend they are hosting the tours of Oasis, Coldplay and Sabrina Carpenter in 2025 Based on feedback from over 5,000 Airbnb guests surveyed between 1 Jan 2024 and 2 Feb 2025. All additional host-centric survey data in this report originates from this survey Based on external data results from an online survey conducted by Panterra Research (here) Internal Airbnb data: YOY percentage increase in UK guest bookings to all concert host cities during Sabrina Carpenter, Coldplay and Oasis tour dates Internal Airbnb data: YOY percentage increase in searches by guests made in 2024 for stays in host cities during Sabrina Carpenter's Paris, Berlin and Brussels 2025 tour dates Internal Airbnb data: YOY percentage increase in searches by guests made in 2024 for stays in London during Coldplay's 2025 tour dates Internal Airbnb data: Increase in searches by UK guests during Oasis' UK tour dates Internal Airbnb data: Bookings for South Somerset stays 30th June – 6th July compared with bookings for 25th – 29th June Internal Airbnb data: YOY percentage increase in UK guest searches for stays in Wimbledon and surrounding areas (Wandsworth, Tooting, Kingston, Richmond and Lewisham) made by UK guests when the ballot was selected for stays during Wimbledon tennis tournament dates Internal Airbnb data: YOY percentage increase in UK guest searches for stays in Buckinghamshire during the Silverstone Grand Prix Internal Airbnb data: Gender breakdown of UK guests that booked stays in Buckinghamshire and Northampton during the weekend of the 2025 Silverstone Grand Prix (based on guests that have voluntarily disclosed gender) About Airbnb Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way. About is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out charitable purpose. The inspiration for began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for supported stays on its platform. View source

'Dressing up helps me': How a Filipina mum redefines beauty and modelling her way

SBS Australia

6 days ago

Entertainment
SBS Australia

'Dressing up helps me': How a Filipina mum redefines beauty and modelling her way

Katya Altiit's passion for fashion began early. As a child, she appeared on Penpen de Sarapen, a beloved Filipino kids' show in the Philippines, where her creativity and confidence first blossomed. Today, she proudly wears custom-made outfits to cultural events in Australia, often with her family dressed up alongside her. She credits motherhood for transforming her personal style and giving her the courage to fully embrace who she is. Despite criticism for not fitting the typical 'model' look- not tall, not slim, and already a mother. Katya believes that true beauty isn't about meeting society's standards. For her, it's all about confidence and staying focused on what truly matters: family, friends, and self-care. SBS Filipino 27/05/2025 31:26 Dressing up helps me feel beautiful and confident. It helps me celebrate being a mum and a woman, just the way I am. Katya Alatiit-mum, fashion enthusiast 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino

Library and events space opens in Stockport's Merseyway shopping centre

BBC News

24-05-2025

Entertainment
BBC News

Library and events space opens in Stockport's Merseyway shopping centre

Retail units in a town's shopping centre have been transformed into a library hub and events space. The space in Merseyway in Stockport has been transformed into Stockroom, a "hub for creativity, connection and community", the council said. It will also include a café bar and children's learning space, as well as being home to Stockport's historical Council leader Mark Roberts said it was a "bold investment" in the town centre and an "exciting new chapter". The council said the space would soon host a packed programme of events, activities and cultural experiencesRoberts said: "Stockroom is a bold investment in the future of our town centre – one that puts culture, learning and community right at the heart of our regeneration plans," "Stockroom marks an exciting new chapter for Stockport."The new space hosts several events later for all ages to celebrate the opening:10:00 - 14:00 - Green Fingers - Help bring new planters to life with the National Trust and Merseyway WorkshopFrom 10:30 - Born to Be Wild Child - Family dance party sessions under the parachute11:00 - 14:00 - Quick Draw – Test your sketching skills on Adlington Walk.10:00 - 16:00 - Add your photo to the Chosen Family Album Exhibition - Bring in your pictures and images to include in the Chosen Family Album and see yourself inside Stockroom18:00 - 20:00 - Evening Launch with Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi - A special Stockroom Studios set from Stockport's ownDiscover the Archives – Explore Stockport's past, contribute to our time capsule, or hear from photographer Heidi AlexanderDisco hat making – Make a disco hat, create your own Stockroom story, explore digital art, or leave your mark on our collaborative mural Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

How Saudi Arabia can deliver major event infrastructure on time and on budget

Arabian Business

22-05-2025

Business
Arabian Business

How Saudi Arabia can deliver major event infrastructure on time and on budget

The delivery of major event infrastructure is a complex and multifaceted endeavour. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks forward to hosting multiple international sports and cultural events over the next two decades, including the Asian Winter Games 2029, the World Expo 2030, and the FIFA World Cup 2034, the Kingdom must strategically plan for the delivery of its events infrastructure, looking to best practices and lessons learned to ensure commercial success and a lasting legacy. In a booming market, strategic procurement is key The Saudi market is not yet overheated, but certain resources are under significant pressure. This necessitates a strategic approach to procurement and project management to ensure timely and successful delivery. Owners must be open to selecting procurement methods with the highest chance of getting the asset delivered on the due date, including measurement contracts. The initial difficulty for major events projects is typically the development of a strategically sound programme to guarantee delivery on the due date, which is fixed and immovable. When building a stadium, it is crucial to balance the timing to avoid building too early or too late. While some of the assets for the FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia are already under construction, a separate challenge is ensuring that all related social infrastructure, including transport, hospitality, and retail assets, are on track to complete in a fully coordinated manner. Main contractors and subcontractors must manage risk proactively For contractors working on high-pressure event projects, it is critical to ensure that the design is as complete as possible before construction begins, thereby avoiding redesigns and significant variations in the scope of the project. In the Middle East, design issues are a well-known cause of delay-related disputes. Tackling the challenge of late design delivery requires careful risk planning at the contract stage. Contractors should negotiate for a fair allocation of risk, considering the inclusion of practical acceleration clauses that allow for the expedited completion of a project by increasing resources, extending work hours, or implementing other measures to speed up the construction process. These clauses are particularly beneficial in high-pressure event projects, such as those for major sports events or expos, where timely delivery is critical. Turning to subcontractors, major event projects are not unique in experiencing issues of delay, design variations, cost escalations, and other claims typical to all large-scale projects. However, the stakes are higher due to the criticality of on-time delivery. Subcontractor risks in major events projects should not be forgotten. Smaller subcontractors on these projects can have a huge responsibility to deliver, and the main contractor is always trying to push the risk downwards. Subcontractors often face significant risks such as bearing responsibility for the timely delivery of important long lead items. Providing subcontractors with sizable advance payments and free-issue materials can help mitigate these risks. Subcontractors can also be their own worst enemies and must also protect themselves from risk by keeping adequate records to support their claims and ensure timely resolution of disputes. Effective stakeholder management sets the scene for success Effective stakeholder management is the single most important factor in the successful delivery of major event infrastructure. Stakeholder management includes coordinating with banks, financiers, contractors, owners, operators, and users. Smooth delivery of these projects depends on how well major stakeholders are arranging themselves, especially since stakeholders' interests may diverge. Not every stakeholder has the same interest, and defining their roles and a dispute resolution process is critical to managing their interests. The mindset must change from 'what is in it for me' to 'what is in the best interests of the project?' and 'how can we have a constructive dialogue to achieve the end goal?' In Saudi Arabia, procurement laws provide for different methods of tender, with major projects often done on an unlimited tender basis due to the need for highly skilled entities. Joint ventures are common, with each member sharing in the capital risk, but the bargain between joint venture parties must be carefully articulated to avoid disappointment and disputes. Educating stakeholders about suitable design options, which are iconic yet practical, and ensuring a diverse supply chain are key to overcoming typical challenges on major events projects. Early dispute resolution mechanisms will nip conflicts in the bud A proactive approach to dispute resolution assists cash flow and allows parties to move forward with the project, rather than becoming bogged down in disputes, which risks a catastrophic late delivery. For major sports events like the FIFA World Cup, selecting appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve disputes as early as possible is critical. Arbitration is a popular dispute resolution method for high-value construction contracts, and the Kingdom has made significant progress to establish a well-functioning institution, the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration. There is also now scope under Saudi law for negotiation on a 'without prejudice' basis, encouraging parties to resolve disputes before they escalate into a formal and costly arbitration proceeding. The new commercial law recognises that what is said at such settlement meetings will not be held against a party. With the signing of the Singapore Convention, there is also an increasing appetite for mediation in the Kingdom. The best method of dispute resolution depends on various factors, including the nature and amount of the dispute and the stakeholders involved. Mediation is not always appropriate for every dispute, but it can be highly effective for the right dispute. Separately, there has always been a high level of interest in the use of dispute adjudication boards in the Middle East, where stakeholders generally accept that early dispute resolution is positive because it assists cash flow. Despite this, there is typically a practical obstacle to implementing dispute boards, even when they are required by the contract. For a major event like an expo or the World Cup, a key stakeholder such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) could be the organiser, setting up dispute boards, appointing members, managing conflicts of interest, replacement members and other logistics. Mandating the use of dispute boards on all contracts related to a major event could be the most straightforward way to encourage their uptake. Strategic legacy planning ensures a profit-focused future The conclusion of a major event should not mark the end of the project. Its legacy is a critical consideration, so that the world-class infrastructure is put to good use. Proper legacy planning is not just in the intention, but the execution. In Qatar, there were fantastic plans to dismantle and repurpose the stadium venues, which was considered an environmentally sustainable concept. However, several years on, some of the stadia are still there because legacy plans were not fully thought through or capable of execution. The end user requirements must be considered when designing and planning the asset to ensure its long-term sustainability and financial viability. The end should be in mind right from the beginning, not least because there will be special considerations for an end user of major sports events. By way of example, FIFA is a critical stakeholder for the World Cup, and its specific design requirements should be considered as early as possible to ensure that the stadia is ultimately fit for purpose. Finally, once the international tourists return home, the focus of end-users for major sports arenas will be laser-focused on 'sweating the asset'. Designing a stadia that is capable of myriad multi-purposes, including sports and entertainment, is key, and is certainly more economical than trying to retro-fit the finished product. Delivering major event infrastructure in Saudi Arabia requires a strategic approach to procurement, effective stakeholder management, and robust dispute resolution mechanisms. With an innovative and ambitious spirit, the Kingdom will soon be ready to welcome the world.

Saudi Culture Ministry Releases 2025 Calendar of Cultural Ecosystem Events

Asharq Al-Awsat