- K-pop group BTS returned to the stage after a four-year hiatus with a free concert in Seoul and the launch of their “Arirang World Tour”.
- Their three concerts in Goyang generated nearly £28m (55.5bn won) in spending from some 30,000 overseas visitors on airfare, accommodation, food, and retail.
- The concerts led to an 807 per cent increase in foreign card transactions and a 231 per cent rise in overall spending in the area compared to the previous week.
- Analysts project the Arirang World Tour, spanning 82 dates across 34 cities, could generate up to £4bn, including direct revenue and secondary consumer spending.
- The group's comeback has significantly boosted South Korean tourism, with searches for travel to Seoul rising by 155 per cent after the tour announcement and record foreign visitor numbers in the first quarter of 2026.
IN FULL
