Cities hosting big shows and festivals draw audiences from elsewhere, whose spending spills into lodging, dining and transport—a flow that ripples beyond the show into the urban economy.

Such spending is pronounced among the young. 'Performance tourism'—traveling between cities for favorite shows—has taken hold as a leisure mode, energizing local commerce.

Local governments and business districts are using show-hosting to invigorate regional economies, increasingly preparing tourism and spending programs timed to performance schedules.

Still, for the buzz not to fade as a passing boom, analysts say content variety and distinctive local appeal must back it up; the effect lasts when it brings repeat visits.

Hwagyo Sibo relays culture-consumption trends from an industry and regional view, noting the sustainability challenge behind the buzz.