BTS has been named Honorary Guests of Bogotá, Colombia, as they prepare for their first full-group concert in the city.
Big Hit Music, the group’s agency, announced that Bogotá officially bestowed this title upon BTS through Decree No. 413 on Wednesday.
The Honorary Guest distinction is a prestigious recognition awarded by the mayor to visitors who have made significant contributions to citizen welfare and urban development across various fields, including arts, sports, science, and education. Bogotá cited BTS’s role in promoting Korean music and culture globally and their profound impact on the younger generation since their 2013 debut as the primary reasons for this honor.
Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán praised BTS as being more than just a band and expressed his hope that concert attendees would also take the opportunity to explore and experience the city.
The Bogotá Tourism Observatory projects that the two performances at El Campín Stadium on October 2 and 3 will generate over 99 billion Colombian COP (approximately 29.8 million USD) in revenue from food, accommodation, transportation, and retail spending.
Flight bookings to Bogotá for the period from September 30 to October 4 have surged by 46.6% compared to the same timeframe last year. Domestic flights saw a 59.3% increase, while international flights jumped by 39.5%. Notably, 18.4% of concert tickets were purchased by fans outside of Colombia.
To commemorate BTS’s visit, Bogotá will illuminate its city hall and the iconic Torre Colpatria in purple. Following the concerts, the city will operate special public transportation, with eight routes running from 10:00 p.m. at two stations near El Campín.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has ascended to the status of a global pop phenomenon, with chart-topping hits like “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “Permission to Dance.” After a brief hiatus for military service, the group released their fifth studio album, Arirang, in March of this year. BTS is currently embarking on a world tour, kicking off their South American leg in Bogotá before continuing to Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and São Paulo, Brazil.