Seoul Sees Boom In Hotel Industry Thanks To EXO Concerts

Fans of one SM Entertainment idol group are boosting the Korean tourism economy.

EXO, SM Entertainment's ten-member idol group, held its concert series in Seoul, hosting five concerts throughout March 7-March 15. Due to the influx of fans from throughout Korea and other countries, Seoul's hotels, particularly the ones close to the concert venue, greatly benefited from concertgoers.

The Chosun Ilbo reported on the situation, highlighting the fact that over 70,000 fans attended EXO's ExoluXion concert series in Seoul, with more than 2,000 attending on package tours and countless others flying in on their own.

To coordinate the influx of fans, SM Entertainment provided both international and international packages, including providing chartered buses from around Korea to get fans to Seoul.

But it was hotels, guesthouses, and hostels near Seoul's Olympic Park that benefited.

"More than half of the guests who booked for this weekend are here to go to the EXO concert," said one guesthouse manager. The representative also explained that EXO isn't the only K-pop group that draws in fans but added, "If there's a K-pop concert, we have guests from all around the world."

Luxury hotels also did well, with certain hotels providing discounts for guests with tickets to EXO's concert; throughout the two weeks of the concert series, the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas booked over 100 rooms to EXO fans. SM Entertainment even provided EXO-specific decorations, such as pillows and blankets, to the hotel for EXO fans staying there.

Along with drawing in thousands of fans, EXO's concert also saw some issues, such as several members of the idol group getting injured during certain nights of the show. No injuries were serious, and all members were able to perform at following concerts.

EXO's second ExoluXion concert series also featured new songs by the idol group, which will be released at the end of March on the group's upcoming album.  

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