BTS Concert in Goyang Expected to Attract 120,000 Tourists as City Promotes “Goyang Contrip” Staying-Tourism Program

The upcoming Goyang shows of BTS’s “Arirang” world tour are generating significant excitement across the region as they approach next week. Goyang City expects around 120,000 domestic and international visitors to arrive over the three-day event, with it already serving as a catalyst for boosting the local economy beyond being merely a one-time event.

It is particularly notable that tourists from Australia are visiting Ilsan—RM’s hometown—before even going to Seoul. Fans are making pilgrimages to RM’s mural in Ilsan, and content related to these “pilgrimages” is being widely shared on overseas social media platforms. Global search demand has surged dramatically. Shortly after the concert schedule was announced, searches for accommodations in Goyang area increased by up to 8 times, rising to 185 times during the concert period itself. Visitors are coming from across Asia, including Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong, with increases of 7 times in the Philippines, 145% in Hong Kong, and over 2 times in China.

The demand for lodging has spread beyond Goyang to Paju, Gimpo, Gwangmyeong, and Incheon as well. Major accommodations in Goyang have already sold out, with fans seeking lodging not only along Line 3 of the subway but also at Yadang Station in Paju and Geomdan in Incheon. Most lodging options in Gochon-eup, Gurae-dong, and Geolpo-dong areas of Gimpo are also fully booked, while hotel occupancy rates near Gwangmyeong Station on the KTX line have increased by over 20% compared to the same period last year.

Local businesses are also showing great optimism. During BTS’s Comeback concert in the Gwanghwamun area, sales at nearby convenience stores rose by up to 6.5 times, bottled water sales increased by 9.3 times, and battery sales surged by a staggering 51.7 times. Sales at department stores and large retailers also increased by 20% to 41%. Building on this momentum, Goyang City has decided to make more systematic use of this concert opportunity.

The city is implementing a strategy to convert the concert hype into economic benefits through a staying-tourism program called “Goyang Contrip.” Over 120 shops in areas such as Bamlidan-gil, Annie-gol, and the Goyang Tourism Special Zone are participating, allowing visitors to receive customized tour itineraries simply by scanning QR codes. “Goyang Contrip” consists of three specialized routes: a Star route featuring a special exhibition displaying RM’s handprints and autographs (April 7–12) along with photo zones connecting Rafesta and Ilsan Lake Park; a Beauty route linking to K-beauty shops to meet fans’ needs for looking their best before the concert; and a Food route covering cozy cafes in Bamlidan-gil to liquor stores at Rafesta for post-concert celebrations.

In addition, Goyang City is running the “Regional Economy Revitalization Big Sale Week” (April 6–15), with 125–126 businesses participating to offer discounts and free gifts. For transportation, shuttle buses will operate during the concert period connecting KINTEX Station, KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2, and Goyang Stadium, continuing service until midnight after the concert. To ensure safety, the crowd of around 40,000 people will be divided into five groups and evacuated sequentially to minimize congestion. Police and firefighters will be deployed on site to thoroughly monitor entry and exit routes multiple times.