Busan hotel reservations by foreigners surge ahead of BTS concerts

The number of hotel reservations booked by foreign tourists in Busan rose sharply ahead of K-pop sensation BTS's concerts next week, industry sources said on Wednesday.

According to Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, foreigners accounted for 42 percent of room bookings 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's performances in Busan will take place on June 12 and 13.

The company added that the number of rooms booked by foreign tourists for the entirety of June increased tenfold from a year earlier.

Paradise Hotel Busan, another luxury hotel in the city, said that 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 representative said.

“As overseas fans visiting Busan for the concerts enjoy accommodations, shopping and tourism, the event is expected to have a positive impact on the regional economy.”

Yonhap