SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea posted a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, marking the strongest monthly figure since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This number reflects a $1.44 billion increase compared to June 2025, when the country experienced an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization reveal that June’s tourism surplus was the second-highest on record. The only month surpassing it was October 2008, with a $661.5 million surplus.
For 72 consecutive months from March 2020 through February 2026, the tourism balance remained in deficit. In January, the shortfall reached $1.4034 billion, followed by a $1.0993 billion deficit in February. The balance turned positive in March with a $263.8 million surplus. It stayed in positive territory in April at $159.9 million and in May at $220.5 million, indicating a gradual recovery that extended into June.
In June, tourism revenue amounted to $2.784 billion, while expenditures reached $2.1874 billion. Foreign visitors spent an average of $1,397 per person during the month, whereas South Korean outbound travelers spent an average of $1,091 each. The difference between receipts and expenditures resulted in a fourth consecutive monthly surplus, representing a notable turnaround from the deficits seen earlier in 2026.
Visitor numbers surged significantly in June
In June, South Korea hosted 1,993,128 international travelers, an increase of 23.1% compared to the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. China remained the largest source market with 649,582 visitors, which is a 36.2% rise from June 2025. Japan followed with 348,216 arrivals, up 21.3%. Taiwan contributed 223,127 visitors, while arrivals from the Americas totaled 219,948, and Europe accounted for 119,445.
International arrivals for the first half of 2026 reached 10,709,919, reflecting a 21% increase from the previous year. Credit card spending by foreign tourists totaled 10.0389 trillion won during this period, a rise of 50.8%. In June alone, card transactions amounted to 2.0544 trillion won, which is a 66.4% increase year-over-year. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization recorded 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, showing a 42.5% increase.
Spending on tourism rises alongside the growth in visitors
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also reported increased spending from regions outside Korea’s main Asian source markets. Arrivals from the Americas numbered 1,077,287 during the first half, which is a 12.7% growth from the previous year. European visitor numbers increased by 20.2% to 738,943, with other long-haul markets also showing gains. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors through June, an 11.1% increase, and Canada provided 157,003 visitors, up 17.1%.
This June surplus follows three years of annual tourism deficits exceeding $10 billion. Those deficits totaled $10.38 billion in 2023, $10.21 billion in 2024, and $10.76 billion in 2025. By June 2026, South Korea’s monthly tourism balance has been positive for four consecutive months. The June receipts surpassed tourism expenditures by $596.6 million, marking the largest monthly tourism surplus since the pandemic and the second-largest on record.