Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea experienced a surge in international arrivals in June, with nearly 2 million visitors entering the country. This growth pushed the total number of foreign travelers during the initial six months of the year beyond a significant milestone. Data released by the Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals surpassed 10 million in H1, driven by sustained double-digit increases across key regional markets. Figures from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism show that 1.99 million foreign tourists arrived in June alone, representing a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly growth brought the cumulative visitor count for the first half to 10.71 million, a 21.3 percent increase from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, East Asian neighboring countries continued to be the main contributors to South Korea’s tourism rebound. Data on inbound travel indicates that mainland China remained the top source of international visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest year-on-year growth among major source countries. For the first six months, Chinese travelers totaled 3.21 million arrivals. Japan ranked second, with 350,000 visitors in June, bringing its six-month total to 1.95 million. Taiwan kept its position as the third-largest origin, contributing 220,000 visitors in June and reaching a total of 1.15 million inbound travelers over the first half of the year.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets provided additional impetus to South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official data on arrivals showed that long-haul visitors from North America reached 220,000 in June. The United States accounted for 177,744 of these travelers, with the overall American inbound count hitting 810,000 during the first half. European countries collectively brought in 120,000 visitors in June, while the six primary Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, contributed 230,000 travelers combined. Experts highlighted that visitor numbers from Taiwan and the U.S. experienced particularly strong growth, increasing by over 160 percent compared to baseline figures from the first half of 2019, prior to the global travel restrictions.
Mainland China and Japan Drive Regional Growth in Korea’s Inbound Market
Transport data revealed that commercial flights remained the leading method of entry for inbound travelers, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, international entry trends show a shift away from Seoul’s primary gateways, with regional airports experiencing faster growth. Arrivals through regional airports such as Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport rose 42.5 percent year-on-year, reaching 395,246 visitors in June. This growth significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent increase seen at major hubs like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The remarkable rebound in international arrivals generated record-breaking revenues for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half. According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign visitor credit card spending exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new tourism revenue record. Sector analysis indicated that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals crossed the 10 million mark in H1 and achieved the historic 6.8 billion U.S. dollar expenditure milestone about three months earlier than in 2025. During that year, such spending did not surpass this level until September.
Chinese Tourists Continue to Drive Growth in Korea’s Inbound Travel Figures
Officials from Korea’s tourism authorities credit the steady growth in inbound visitors to strategic policy adjustments, increased air route capacity, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Measures such as extending temporary visa-free programs for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have streamlined entry processes for short-term visitors. Urban planning reports from the Seoul AI Foundation show that foreign tourists are increasingly exploring locations beyond traditional capital landmarks. This trend has driven double-digit growth in visitors to outdoor markets, cultural sites, and hiking trails like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching over 10 million visitors before midyear bolsters government forecasts aiming for 22 million to 23 million international tourists by year-end. Officials expect this upward trend to continue in the second half, boosted by peak summer holidays, autumn festivals, and additional international flight options linking regional airports with major Asian cities. Already exceeding 2019 pre-pandemic figures by nearly 27 percent, Korea’s tourism sector continues collaborating with hospitality providers, regional authorities, and transportation services to maintain infrastructure capacity and expand regional travel options nationwide.