Travel booking platform Agoda has recorded a dramatic surge in accommodation searches across Asia following the announcement of BTS’s first world tour in four years, with South Korean concert cities Goyang and Busan emerging as the region’s most in-demand destinations. The K-pop group’s long-awaited return has set off a wave of fan-driven travel planning that is reshaping short-term booking trends across the Asia-Pacific.
Goyang, where BTS’s tour kicks off on April 9 and continues on April 11–12, saw accommodation searches spike nearly 8 times on the day of the announcement compared to the week before. Busan, which hosts concerts on June 12–13, recorded a 47% increase in searches as fans began mapping out their trips.
A region-wide rush to book
The announcement triggered intense interest from BTS fans across Asia, with the strongest inbound demand for the South Korean tour dates coming from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and China. Searches from the Philippines to both Goyang and Busan surged by more than 7 times, while Hong Kong recorded a 145% rise. Chinese fans, despite no planned tour stop in their market, more than doubled their searches for the South Korean venues.
The scale of the booking surge grew even more striking when fans zeroed in on the specific concert dates. Accommodation searches for Goyang for the actual performance nights rose nearly 185 times among regional travelers, led by fans from Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong. Domestic South Korean travelers also responded strongly, with searches for Goyang concert dates climbing nearly 44 times.
Beyond South Korea: APAC cities feel the BTS effect
The tour’s ripple effect extended well beyond the Korean peninsula. Among South Korean travelers searching outbound destinations after the announcement, Kuala Lumpur saw the largest rise in accommodation searches at 22%, followed by Melbourne at 16%, Bangkok at 15%, Kaohsiung at 10%, and Singapore at 9%.
“Following the announcement of BTS’s world tour, we are seeing a ‘dynamite’ increase in both inbound and outbound travel demand, as fans are willing to travel far and wide to see the group reunite after a four-year hiatus,” said Jay Lee, Regional Director, North Asia at Agoda. “Agoda is thrilled to help them experience the ‘euphoria’ of catching the K-pop group live at these exciting tour destinations. With Agoda, fans can easily plan their trips and ensure they don’t miss a beat of the BTS magic, all while enjoying great deals on accommodations and flights.”
Planning a concert trip? Here’s what to know
For fans looking to build a full trip around the tour, Agoda offers access to over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, with the option to combine all elements in a single booking. The platform encourages fans to check its mobile app or visit Agoda.com for the best available deals.
BTS’s return to the stage marks one of the most anticipated comebacks in K-pop history. The tour’s opening in Goyang positions South Korea at the centre of what is shaping up to be one of 2025’s defining moments in global music tourism.
