Coldplay, a music juggernaut formed in 1997, continues to have the star power to cause a tourism frenzy. Recently, the band announced a show in Abu Dhabi as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour, leading to a surge in demand for hotel rooms in the city. The announcement of the show in Abu Dhabi came after Coldplay had captivated the city of Mumbai with the release of tickets for their January shows. The upcoming performances in Abu Dhabi were so popular that the band had to add two more shows to accommodate the high demand from fans. As a result, hotel prices in the city soared, with properties closest to the stadium having no rooms available for the concert date.
Local trade publication Hotelier Middle East reported that demand for hotel rooms in Abu Dhabi was outstripping supply, leading to a sharp increase in prices. For the night of the concert on January 11, several properties near Zayed Sports City Stadium, where the performances will take place, such as Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Canal, were fully booked. This high demand drove the prices up significantly, with the Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Center offering rooms for 1,148 Emirati Dirhams (around $312) per night, compared to 230 Emirati Dirhams (around $63) the previous weekend. Other hotel rates in the area experienced similar increases, showcasing the impact of Coldplay’s visit on the local hospitality industry.
In an effort to attract big-name artists like Coldplay, the UAE has been hosting a series of international concerts and events. Notable performers who have graced the country’s stages include Post Malone, Kasabian, and Lionel Richie. However, the region has also faced setbacks when artists have canceled performances due to human rights issues or other concerns. Macklemore pulled out of a show in Dubai last year, and Nicki Minaj canceled her concert in Saudi Arabia in 2019. The UAE also faced criticism for hosting private concerts by artists like Beyonce, with concerns raised about LGBTQ+ rights and workers’ rights in the country.
Looking ahead, the CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority expressed interest in having mega-star Taylor Swift perform in the region but acknowledged that it would require collaboration among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Swift, currently on her Eras Tour, has not included any stops in the GCC despite the heavy investment made by Saudi Arabia and the UAE in their events infrastructure. The CEO highlighted the importance of regional collaboration to attract top-tier artists like Swift, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to booking international acts. The push to bring artists like Taylor Swift to the region reflects the desire of countries in the GCC to position themselves as global entertainment hubs and draw in more tourists through world-class performances and events.
