The city of Busan is launching a large-scale consumption promotion project to spread spending by domestic and international visitors drawn by BTS concerts throughout the regional economy. The strategy aims to connect spending that could otherwise concentrate near the concert venue to neighborhood commercial districts, traditional markets, and the retail industry, turning the "BTS boom" into broader regional economic revitalization.
The city said Monday that it will run a "Busan Big Sale Week" to coincide with the BTS World Tour Arirang IN Busan concert held on the 12th and 13th.
The event focuses on encouraging spending by domestic and foreign tourists visiting Busan for the concert to spread across the entire city rather than remaining in specific areas. The plan also intends to provide a tangible boost in sales for small business owners and self-employed individuals struggling amid the recent economic downturn and weakened consumption.
The city will first run a "private-participation Big Sale Week" from the 10th to the 16th, involving 550 small business stores and nine major retailers.
Major commercial districts representing the region, including Haeridan-gil, Jeonpo Saigil, the Pusan National University commercial district, and Bujeon Market, will participate, along with major retailers such as Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch, Lotte Mall Dongbusan Branch, and E-mart Haeundae Branch.
During the event period, participating stores will offer their own discounts, complimentary gifts, and bonus items. In particular, Bujeon Market will offer a 10% discount on all items, while neighborhood district participating stores will offer 15-20% discounts or additional services to customers who verify their BTS fan status. E-mart Haeundae Branch will give a free Hill Spa pass to visitors who present a concert ticket and a receipt for purchases of 30,000 won or more.
To expand stay-based consumption, the city will also hold a special sale of card-type Dongbaekjeon tourism vouchers. A total of 2,000 vouchers of 50,000 won denomination will be issued and can be purchased at a 15% discount for 42,500 won.
The tourism vouchers can be purchased at the Busan pop-up store set up in Busan Station Plaza on the 12th and 13th, as well as at the international terminal of Gimhae International Airport. Buyers will also receive a keyring featuring Busan's character "Bugi."
In addition, during the Big Sale Week, a consumption event totaling 100 million won will be held for Dongbaekjeon users spending 100,000 won or more. Customers using "good-price stores" will receive an additional 5% cashback in the local currency Dongbaekjeon to encourage consumption.
A "Busan pop-up store" will also open at Busan Station Plaza to expand sales channels for local companies. With 28 businesses and 37 booths, it will showcase products from local small businesses, Busan's representative brand products, B-beauty products, and crafts. Cultural performances and experience programs will also be held, expected to play a role in extending tourists' stay times.
Separately, the city plans to operate a "Busan Brand Sales Fair" to support sales of local company products, and to stabilize lodging rates by providing free accommodation to foreign tourists through a citizen-participation "Busan-style homestay" program.
This project draws attention as a comprehensive consumption stimulus policy that goes beyond a simple discount event to spread the economic effects of the BTS concert throughout the region. The city plans to enhance Busan's tourism competitiveness through the concert while simultaneously achieving two goals: recovery of regional commercial districts and revitalization of the people's livelihood economy.
"Through the Big Sale Week, we will spread a consumption mood and ensure that the concert boom extends to neighborhood commercial districts and traditional markets, leading to increased sales for small businesses and recovery of the people's livelihood economy," Mayor Park Heong-jun said.
