BTS named Bogotá's 'honorary foreign guests' as full group; 4.06 billion won in economic impact

Waking Bogotá's heart, a spectacular opening to the South American tour

Global pop icons 'BTS' have achieved the distinction of being officially designated 'honorary foreign guests' in Bogotá, the heart of Colombia. Big Hit Music announced the news on the 2nd, heralding the start of an extraordinary journey set to shake the South American continent.

The title of 'honorary foreign guests', personally bestowed by Bogotá's mayor, is the city's highest honor. It is reserved for global figures who have made major contributions to the city's development and the well-being of its residents in fields including politics, the arts and science.

The city of Bogotá highly valued the contributions of 'BTS', who have elevated the global standing of Korean music and culture and spread a positive influence among young people worldwide since their debut in 2013. The city also expressed high hopes that the visit would mark a turning point for Bogotá, helping it emerge as a key global hub for the cultural and creative industries and a major event destination.

The tour's impact on the local economy is also astronomical, extending well beyond cultural exchange. A detailed analysis by the Tourism Observatory under the Bogotá Tourism Office projects that the two concerts at Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campín on the 2nd and 3rd, local time, will drive a surge in spending on lodging, transportation, food and beverages, generating roughly '4.06 billion won' in economic value.

Bogotá is the symbolic city opening this 'South American tour' in spectacular fashion. The shows carry particular significance because they will be the group's first full-member performances in Colombia. From Bogotá, the group will embark on an ambitious journey through Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and São Paulo, Brazil, turning South America purple.