Every day, some 940 flights carry over 150,000 passengers through Changi Airport, covering a total distance of 3 million kilometres to 380 cities via 100 airlines. 

• When there are more transit routes available, the volume of travel is likely to increase.

• When there are convenient/ attractive transit routes available, the direction of travel may change:

-- Tourists can choose to travel via the transit route instead of travelling directly to the destination region (to break up a long flight duration, or to travel at more suitable timings).

1. It’s a great stress buster. "The stress of work and daily demands can distract us from what we find to be actually meaningful and interesting," says Dr. Tamara McClintock Greenberg, a San Francisco-based clinical psychologist and author of Psychodynamic Perspectives on Aging and Illness. Thus, taking a break from the daily hustle and bustle is essential for your mind to relax, recharge and rejuvenate. 

And what better way to do so than to pack your bags and cross wanderlust-worthy destinations off your bucket list? Traveling promotes happiness and helps you take your mind off stressful situations. This leads to lower cortisol levels, making you feel more calm and content. 

According to a 2013 study, more than 80% of Americans, who were surveyed, noticed significant drops in stress just after a day or two of traveling. 

“Even though I’m always busy when I travel, whether it’s sightseeing, taking photos or just exploring a destination on foot, I know I’m the calmest and most relaxed when I travel,” says Jacintha Verdegaal, an avid traveler and founder of travel and lifestyle blog, Urban Pixxels. 

What unites Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Blackpink?

The moment a concert date is announced by any of these megastars, their fans are set in motion. The rapidly escalating trend of music tourism is drawing swarms of concert enthusiasts, many of whom travel from different cities or even countries, converging upon the host destinations.

Survey data from US event management company Eventbrite paints a similar picture. An overwhelming 80% of consumers express a desire to venture out as much or more in 2023, demonstrating a strong appetite for big-ticket events despite the challenges of obtaining tickets.

K-pop sensation BTS takes the crown in terms of travel commitment, with fans willing to journey an average of 3,283km to experience their favourite group in concert, as documented by US travel platform Upgraded Points.

Considering the Swiftenomics, the economic impact of superstar tours is vividly evident in cities chosen to host Taylor Swift's concerts. Take the case of Singapore, where the internationally renowned pop star is slated to perform six shows from 2 to 9 March 2024, anticipated to draw a massive crowd of around 300,000 fans. Already, local hotels have witnessed a surge in room rates exceeding 20% at select three- and four-star establishments during this period.