As El Paso prepares for another massive influx of visitors tied to a global music event, conversations around hotel pricing have intensified, especially as fans elsewhere have already lived through worst-case scenarios.
Internationally, BTS concerts have sparked documented backlash in cities like Busan, South Korea, where hotels were accused of cancelling previously confirmed reservations, only to relist those same rooms at dramatically higher prices once demand became clear. Those reports triggered public outrage, government warnings, and a broader conversation about ethical practices during major cultural events.
That global controversy is now shaping local anxieties here at home.
BTS Concert Hotel Controversies Abroad Raise Red Flags for Fans
Outside the United States, reporting around BTS concerts has shown how extreme demand can lead to troubling behavior in the lodging industry. In Busan, confirmed cases detailed hotels cancelling reservations, encouraging guests to rebook, or quietly relisting rooms at inflated prices once concert dates were finalized.
Those incidents sparked international criticism and intervention from local officials, creating a cautionary tale for cities preparing to host large-scale music events.
El Paso Hotel Prices Surge for Concerts, but Cancellations Remain Unverified
In El Paso, verified reporting paints a more restrained picture. Local outlets have confirmed significant price increases across hotels and short-term rentals ahead of major concert weekends, including rates jumping two to three times higher than average. That surge mirrors what happened last year when Coldplay performed in the city, driving hotel occupancy close to capacity and delivering millions in economic impact.
What has not been substantiated, either during Coldplay’s shows or ahead of upcoming concerts, is evidence that El Paso hotels systematically cancelled existing reservations to relist rooms at higher prices. Local reporting has focused on demand, occupancy, and revenue, not reservation cancellations.
That distinction matters.
Price increases tied to demand are legal and expected. Cancelling confirmed reservations to chase higher profits crosses into a different and more troubling territory, one that so far has been documented abroad but not verified here.
Airbnb Pricing Concerns Add Pressure Ahead of Major El Paso Events
Short-term rentals add another layer to the concern. While many Airbnb hosts operate responsibly, sudden spikes in pricing, or hosts pulling listings only to repost at inflated rates, have fueled frustration among travelers nationwide. Even when practices are technically allowed, perception can do real damage.
These dynamics place additional scrutiny on how El Paso is seen by visitors deciding whether the trip is worth the cost.
El Paso Residents Want Accountability Without Hurting Tourism
Listeners have reached out to KISS FM with a consistent message. They want accountability without harming El Paso’s reputation. There’s genuine concern that headlines about price gouging, even when based on rumor, could discourage visitors from experiencing a city that thrives on hospitality, culture, and community pride.
Transparency and Fair Pricing Matter for El Paso’s Long-Term Reputation
El Paso has proven it can host world-class events while welcoming visitors with warmth and professionalism. Major concerts bring opportunity, but they also test how businesses balance profit with responsibility.
For now, the facts remain clear. While global examples show how bad things can get, El Paso has not been shown to be engaging in those same practices. Keeping that line intact through transparency, fair dealing, and clear communication may be the most important takeaway of all.
Because people don’t just remember the concert.
They remember how a city treated them when they came.
Coldplay in El Paso, Texas
Take a look at photos taken from El Paso photographer, Christian Churches, from Coldplay’s sold out shows in El Paso, Texas.
Gallery Credit: Courtesy: Christian Churches
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Gallery Credit: Monika