South Korea tourism continued its strong recovery in 2026, with 10.7 million international visitors recorded in the first half of the year and China leading source markets.
South Korea tourism continued its strong growth momentum in 2026, with more than 10.7 million international visitors arriving in the country during the first half of the year.
East Asians & Diaspora
According to data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, South Korea welcomed 10.7 million foreign visitors between January and June 2026, representing a 21.3% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The figure also exceeded pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the continued expansion of inbound tourism demand.
China remains the largest source market
In June alone, South Korea recorded 1.99 million international arrivals, up 23.1% year on year. Travellers from China represented the largest share of visitors, with 649,582 arrivals during the month.
Japan ranked second with 348,216 visitors, followed by Taiwan with 223,127 arrivals. Visitors from the Americas reached 219,948, while Europe contributed 119,445 travellers.
China also recorded the strongest annual growth among major source markets in June, up 36.2% from the previous year. Taiwan followed with a 35.3% rise, reflecting continued demand from key Asian markets.
Air connectivity and regional gateways support growth
Air travel remained the main entry channel for international visitors. In June, 1.72 million tourists arrived by air, with most passengers using airports in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Incheon International Airport.
At the same time, regional airports recorded significant growth. Visitor arrivals through airports outside the Seoul metropolitan area reached 395,246 in June, representing a 42.5% increase compared with June 2025.
The increase in regional airport traffic reflects efforts to expand tourism beyond Seoul and to distribute international visitors more widely across South Korea.
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International visitor spending reaches new levels
International visitors also generated stronger economic activity during the first half of 2026. Foreign credit and debit card spending reached KRW 2.05 trillion (approximately USD 1.4 billion) in June, exceeding the KRW 2 trillion mark for the second consecutive month.
Total overseas visitor card spending from January to June reached KRW 10.04 trillion, up 50.8% from the same period in 2025.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the growth in visitor numbers and spending has contributed significantly to the domestic economy. In 2025, foreign visitor card spending surpassed KRW 10 trillion in September alone, underscoring the faster pace recorded in 2026.
K-culture and diversified experiences strengthen demand
The continued popularity of Korean culture, including K-pop, Korean food, beauty and entertainment content, remains an important factor supporting international interest in the destination. South Korea has increasingly developed tourism products linked to cultural experiences, local destinations and lifestyle trends.
Meanwhile, the country is also focusing on attracting visitors beyond traditional markets and improving access to regional destinations. The government has identified tourism diversification, stronger regional connectivity and higher visitor spending as key areas for future growth.
With more than 10 million international visitors reached earlier than in previous years, South Korea is moving beyond post-pandemic recovery and entering a new phase of inbound tourism expansion.