BTS Designated 'Guest of Honor' in Bogota, Colombia... '10 Years' Since Mexican President

For the first time in 10 years since the former Mexican president in 2016, a guest of honorGroup BTS designated as 'Guest of Honor (Huésped de Honor)' in Bogota, Colombia. / Big Hit Music[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Group BTS designated as 'Guest of Honor' in Bogota, Colombia.According to agency Big Hit Music on the 2nd, the city of Bogota officially designated BTS (RM SUGA Jin V J-HOPE JIMIN JUNG KOOK) as 'Guest of Honor (Huésped de Honor)' through 'Decree 413 of 2026' on September 30th local time.'Guest of Honor' is an honor awarded by the Mayor of Bogota to distinguished visitors who have contributed to the welfare of citizens or the development of the city in various fields such as politics, public service, arts, sports, science, and education. This is the first time Bogota has designated a Guest of Honor in about 10 years, since former Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in 2016.Bogota cited BTS's contribution to raising the international status of Korean music and culture since their debut in 2013 and their influence on the younger generation as the background for this designation. They also expected that the group's visit would help promote Bogota as a hub for cultural and creative industries and a venue for global events.Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogota, said, "BTS is more than just a band. We want those who come to concerts and visit Bogota to experience the city itself." He added, "The city of Bogota recognizes that BTS's visit is a special event for the city as well, and will welcome them as 'Guests of Honor' here."In fact, BTS's concert is expected to have a significant ripple effect on Bogota's economy and tourism. The Tourism Observatory of Bogota, under the Bogota Tourism Institute (Instituto Distrital de Turismo), predicted that the spending by attendees on food and beverages, accommodation, local transportation, shopping, and souvenirs during the BTS concerts on the 2nd and 3rd would reach approximately 99 billion Colombian pesos (about 40.6 billion Korean won).Air demand for flights to Bogota also increased by about 46.6% compared to the same period last year, from September 30th to October 4th, before and after the concert. 18.4% of the concert tickets were sold to buyers from outside Colombia, which is about twice the proportion of overseas purchases for typical concerts held locally.To welcome BTS, the city of Bogota will illuminate City Hall and the iconic landmark Torre Colpatria in purple. Additional public transportation routes will be operated for attendees on the 2nd and 3rd, the concert days.This is the first time BTS will perform as a full group in Bogota, Colombia. BTS will continue their South American tour, starting with the Bogota concert, followed by Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and São Paulo, Brazil.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]