COVINGTON, Ky. — Over 100,00 music fans will roll into Cincinnati this weekend for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. The big weekend is projected to bring in about $92 million through food, merchandise and hospitality sales across the region.


What You Need To Know

  • Over 100,000 Swifties are anticipated to flock to the Cincinnati area over the weekend for Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour

  • It's anticipated to bring in $92 million to the region

  • Hotels and short-term rentals are booked up for the weekend

  • Sports fans and others celebrating the holiday are expected to be in the area for the weekend, too

General Manager Art Santomo says the 220 rooms in the Radisson Hotel in Covington are completely booked, thanks in part to “Swifties,” sports and the holiday weekend.

“This is like the old days of the music festival and then the jazz fest,” said Santomo.

He’s been working at the Radisson for 10 years. He says weekends in the Greater Cincinnati area this time of year tend to be busier, and there’s high demand from people looking for a place to stay.

“When there’s much demand, you can charge higher prices. We try not to gouge people,” Santomo explained.

He says he knows people coming in from across the Midwest and South for the weekend.

“Probably a three- to four-hour range—I would say within that,” he said.

According to Santomo, the northern Kentucky side offers a great scenic view of the river. He thinks it’s a positive step to have Kentucky highlighted on such a big weekend.

It’s not just hotels but short-term rentals that are filling up as well.

“Of course, everything is 100% booked up,” said Jeremiah Hines. He’s the co-founder of Neat Suites, a short-term rental company that serves northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area.

Hines says rentals have been booked for six months. “Comparatively to other average weekends, it’s almost doubled the revenue that we typically see,” he added.

Santomo believes the busy weekend may be a high-water mark for the hotel.

“It’s probably going to generate the most room revenue we’ve had here over two nights,” he said.

After this, Santomo says the next boom for the area may be the Cincinnati Music Festival, which kicks off on July 20. Big names like rapper Snoop Dogg will draw major crowds for the festival.