Busan rolls out homestays and crackdowns on hotel overcharging ahead of BTS concerts

Global cities hosting stadium-sized concerts face a familiar dilemma: Massive crowds arrive, spend money exclusively at the venue and depart, leaving nearby neighborhood merchants with little more than traffic congestion and litter. Ahead of the upcoming “BTS World Tour 'ARIRANG' in Busan,” municipal officials in the southeastern port city are deploying an aggressive, state-backed economic experiment designed to prevent tourist money from getting left at the concert gates. The Busan Metropolitan Government announced Monday the launch of “Busan Big Sale Week,” a coordinated economic campaign running from June 10 to 16. The initiative aims to leverage the global star power of the K-pop group to stimulate the city’s retail and hospitality sectors, directly channeling the purchasing power of international fans — collectively known as ARMY — into local small businesses, traditional markets and alleyway commercial districts. Under the plan, the city has coordinated discount agreements with more than 550 mom-and-pop shops and nine major department stores, including regional branc

Korean authorities are moving to crack down on alleged hotel price gouging and reservation abuses after BTS members publicly criticized soaring accommodation costs ahead of the K-pop group's upcoming concerts in Busan. The global K-pop superstars are set to hold "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN BUSAN" on June 12-13, coinciding with the group's debut anniversary on June 13. The concerts are expected to draw tens of thousands of domestic and international fans to the southeastern port city. But excitement surrounding the event has been overshadowed by complaints about sharply rising accommodation costs. According to a May survey conducted by the Korea Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency, average lodging prices at 135 accommodation facilities in Busan during the concert period were 2.4 times higher than on surrounding weekends. Motel rates rose by an average of 3.3 times, while hotel prices increased by 2.9 times. Some properties reportedly charged more than five times their usual rates. In extreme cases, rooms that normally cost around 100,000 won ($73) were listed for as much a

The number of hotel reservations booked by foreign tourists in the southeastern port city of Busan rose sharply ahead of next week's concert by K-pop sensation BTS, industry sources said Wednesday. According to Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, foreigners accounted for 42 percent of the rooms booked at its Matie Osiria hotel in the port city from June 11 to 13, up sharply from 0.2 percent during the same period last year. BTS' performances in Busan will take place June 12-13. Hanwha Hotels added that the number of rooms booked by foreign tourists for all of June also increased tenfold from a year earlier. Paradise Hotel Busan, another luxury hotel in the city, said more than 90 percent of its rooms were booked during the concert period, with foreigners accounting for 70 percent of the guests. "The (BTS) Busan performances are not just concerts but a citywide tourism event," an industry official said. "As overseas fans visiting Busan for the concerts enjoy accommodation, shopping and tourism, the event is expected to have a positive impact on the regional economy."

Ahead of next week's BTS concerts, Busan launched a citizen homestay program as part of efforts to stabilize accommodation prices. The Busan Metropolitan Government said Monday that the three-day program, running June 12-14 to coincide with the concerts, will offer stays at private residences of Busan citizens, with each booking covering two nights. To participate, foreign tourists can apply through k-popstay.wehome.me or Visit Korea. The program is offered free of charge, with a 50,000-won ($33) security deposit required at the time of reservation to prevent ghost bookings and no-shows. The deposit will be fully refunded upon check-in in the form of a Busan tourism voucher of the same value, usable at traditional markets and other local venues. The city will also cover liability insurance premiums for hosts, including personal injury and property damage, within the available budget, allowing them to open their homes without liability concerns. Scheduled for June 12 and 13, the K-pop juggernaut's Busan concerts are drawing high anticipation from fans, especially as the second day marks t

President Lee Jae Myung has called for stronger action against accommodation price gouging in Busan ahead of BTS‘ June concerts, as soaring room rates and alleged reservation cancellations continue to draw criticism from fans and the public. The issue drew fresh attention after BTS members addressed the controversy during a livestream Tuesday evening. RM, the group’s leader, asked businesses in Busan dialect not to “overdo it,” referring to reports of sharp hotel price hikes, and expressed disappointment that he had no authority to intervene directly. READ: BTS wins artist of the year at American Music Awards Other members also voiced […]...Keep on reading: BTS joins President Lee in calling out Busan lodging price hikes

South Korean religious groups, universities and public institutions are offering free or affordable accommodation options for BTS fans who have become targets of price gouging ahead of the supergroup’s June concerts in Busan, but supply remains limited, leaving many to stick with their existing plans. Busan is hosting BTS’ June 12 and 13 concerts as part of its “Arirang” world tour. As June 13 is also the K-pop group’s 13th debut anniversary and the first in many years after their historic...