Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – Amid ongoing recovery in global travel, the Republic of Korea experienced a significant influx of international visitors, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in June. This milestone contributed to the first six months of the year, which saw the total number of foreign visitors cross a major threshold. According to official data released by Emirates News Agency, Korea’s foreign tourist numbers topped 10 million in H1, driven by consistent double-digit growth from key regional markets. Data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shows that June alone welcomed 1.99 million foreign tourists—a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month in the previous year. This strong monthly performance pushed the half-year total to 10.71 million visitors, a 21.3 percent increase from the 8.8 million during the same period in 2025, and it surpassed pre-pandemic levels from 2019 by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, neighboring East Asian countries remained the primary contributors to South Korea’s tourism growth. Data indicates that mainland China continued to be the leading source of international travelers, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest growth rate among major source markets. Overall, Chinese visitors reached 3.21 million for the January-June period. Japan followed as the second-largest inbound market, with 350,000 visitors in June, bringing its total for the first half to 1.95 million. Meanwhile, Taiwan maintained its position as the third-largest country of origin, with 220,000 arrivals in June and a total of 1.15 million visitors over the first six months of the year.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian regions, other markets contributed to the nation’s tourism revival. Official entry data revealed that long-haul travelers from North America reached 220,000 in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of those arrivals, bringing the total American inbound visitors to 810,000 for the first half of the year. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 visitors during June. Additionally, the six main Southeast Asian source countries, including the Philippines, provided a combined 230,000 travelers. Officials highlighted that visitor numbers from Taiwan and the United States showed particularly notable growth, increasing by more than 160 percent compared to baseline figures from the first half of 2019, before global travel restrictions were imposed.
First-Half International Tourism Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels
Transportation data confirmed that air travel remains the primary means for inbound arrivals, with June recording 1.74 million foreign travelers arriving by plane. Notably, international arrivals demonstrated a trend toward decentralization from Seoul, as regional airports saw rapid growth compared to main gateways in the Seoul metropolitan area. In June, regional airports including Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport experienced a 42.5 percent year-over-year increase, reaching 395,246 visitors. This growth significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent rise at major capital gateways, such as Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The rebound in international arrivals has generated record-breaking revenue for South Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half of the year. According to financial data from the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign visitor credit card spending surpassed 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new record for tourism revenue. The analysis indicated that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million in H1, with tourism expenditures reaching the $6.8 billion mark approximately three months earlier than in 2025. During that year, such spending levels were not surpassed until September.
June’s Arrival Figures Hit 1.99 Million International Travelers
Officials from Korea’s tourism authorities credit the sustained growth in inbound travel to strategic policy adjustments, increased airline capacity, and the worldwide appeal of Korean cultural exports. Initiatives such as extending temporary visa-free entry for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have eased entry procedures for short-term visitors. Urban planning reports from the Seoul AI Foundation indicate that foreign tourists are increasingly exploring destinations beyond traditional capital landmarks, leading to double-digit growth in visitors at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and hiking trails like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching 10 million arrivals before the midpoint of the year bolsters government forecasts of attracting 22 million to 23 million international visitors by year-end. Officials expect that the momentum will continue into the second half, supported by peak summer travel, autumn festivals, and additional international flight services connecting regional airports to major Asian cities. Already, foreign visitor numbers have exceeded pre-pandemic 2019 levels by nearly 27 percent, prompting tourism agencies to work closely with hospitality providers, regional governments, and transportation companies to enhance infrastructure capacity and develop regional travel routes nationwide.