Attending Diljit Dosanjh’s concert in Delhi was more than just a night of music; It was a dive into the night’s infectious energy, cultural pride and shared enthusiasm. When securing my tickets for Diljit’s Dil-Luminati Tour, I knew I was in for a ride. However, I didn’t think that this event would fit perfectly into an emerging trend that is travel: live events becoming the main reason why someone books travel. As Diljit Dosanjh brings his Dil-Luminati Tour to Delhi on October 26 and 27, kicking off a ten-city tour across India.

As I entered the concert venue, it was clear I wasn’t the only one excited. Fans next to me were sharing stories of how they had struggled for tickets, some for as long as nine hours on booking platforms like Zomato Live. “I struggled for nine hours to get a ticket,” said one concert attendee, who after finally getting a ticket found himself sitting in a different row from his girlfriend. This anecdote, while humorous, shows how dedicated and committed the fans are. Even where things did not go so smoothly – for example, falling into the trap of counterfeit tickets – most fans managed to feel the right atmosphere in the crowd. When Daljeet finally performed on stage, there was electricity running on every seat. The distinctive Punjabi tunes and soulful tunes somehow conjured up a memory in each of us that each hour spent in booking tickets would not be wasted.

From Taylor Swift to Diljit Dosanjh: The growing demand for experiential travel and ‘gig tripping’

What really caught my attention was the number of people who came to attend this concert. As the popularity of concerts continues to grow, it is no surprise that ‘gig tripping’ has become a common phenomenon; After all, fans travel from city to city or country to country for live performances.

According to Atlize, the leading visa processing platform, there are many visa applications from followers of international artists like Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh.

This is a new trend in how travel will be preferred by Millennials and Gen Z, primarily focused on experiences such as music festivals and concerts rather than exploring the place. This is supported by a report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which found that more than 70% of travelers, especially the younger generation, now prefer experiences in cultural and entertainment sectors rather than material possessions.

Visa application numbers have increased by 20% following Taylor Swift’s arrival as Era’s Tour. Diljit, whose tour was announced a month ago, saw a staggering 10% increase in applications. This reflects a shift in travel and tourists, who travel only when there are events necessary to visit a place.

Increase in cost of Delhi trip with Dil-Luminati Tour

The concert in Delhi fell squarely during the Diwali holiday festival season, when travel demand skyrocketed. As fans and tourists like me flocked to the capital, flight ticket prices skyrocketed. Livemint reports that fares from cities like Mumbai to Delhi have increased by 50%, and a one-way ticket on the day of the concert has increased to between ₹11,000 and ₹12,000, against the usual ₹5,899 at the end of the month.

The prices may have been steep, but for fans, the concert had an allure that was sure to outweigh the extra expense on travel. For me, it was Diljit’s concert on the eve of Diwali, a very memorable journey that had in equal measure the joy of festive travel with the excitement of live music, and also a growing reality: today, travel is about moments. More about more and less has become more about places.

gig tourism‘is gaining popularity and influence in the travel sector.

Visa applications, hotel bookings are becoming more influenced by concerts like Diljit’s, with SkyScanner even saying that local accommodations are almost 100% booked on concert weekends. This is an example of how music tours and cultural events are becoming increasingly important travel drivers, stimulating local economies. Concert-driven tourism is likely to remain, bringing a new wave of tourism development to cities.

Coming back to my experience, I thought that Diljit’s Dil-Luminati Tour was going to be a great show; Otherwise, it was going to open up the world of travel. For me it was never about going to a new place or seeing a concert; It was a very satisfying way to combine my two passions. For all those who have not yet wanted to try it, my advice would be to keep in mind for your next destination the concerts, festivals or events that attract them.

It was at this point that the incident of Diljit’s Delhi concert gained its real momentum, where the live experience gave a personal narrative to the journey. After all, Delhi will always be remembered as an exciting destination for the food, the scenery and the energy, but for me, the city will always be associated in my mind with the sound of Diljit Dosanjh’s voice in a sold-out stadium.

In a world where on-property experiences are playing an ever-increasing role, ‘gig tripping’ is the ultimate means of incorporating meaningful experiences into travel. So the next time that favorite artist is playing somewhere far away from home, think about booking tickets – chances are you won’t regret booking.

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