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BTS Kicks Off ‘ARIRANG’ World Tour at Goyang Stadium (Photo courtesy of Big Hit Music) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Concerts by global K-pop group BTS have significantly boosted inbound tourism, extending visitor stays and increasing spending by up to 1.4 times compared to average foreign tourists, according to a government study.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute and the Korea Tourism Organization, conducted surveys and analyzed card and telecom data from attendees of BTS performances held in Gwanghwamun and Goyang in March and April.
The findings show that large-scale K-pop concerts generate tangible economic impact beyond ticket sales, encouraging extended stays and increased consumption in surrounding areas.
Foreign visitors attending the March 21 Gwanghwamun concert stayed an average of 8.7 days and spent about KRW 3.53 million—2.6 days longer and KRW 1.08 million more than the average foreign visitor in Q1.
Attendees of the Goyang concerts on April 9 and 11–12 stayed an average of 7.4 days and spent KRW 2.91 million, about 1.2 times higher than typical tourists. Many visited nearby attractions tied to the “BTS THE CITY” Seoul program, including Yongsan, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul.
Data analysis also highlighted a sharp surge in local economic activity. During the three-day concert period, foreign visitor numbers in Daehwa-dong, near the Goyang venue, jumped 35-fold year-on-year to 48,581. Foreign card spending in the area soared 38 times, from KRW 8.9 million to KRW 337.8 million.
The study confirms that major K-pop events are a key driver of inbound tourism, expanding travel routes and delivering substantial economic benefits to host regions.
알파경제 Kim Jisun Reporter(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
