Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea saw nearly 2 million foreign visitors in June, propelling the total number of international arrivals in the first half of the year past a notable milestone. Official figures from the government, as reported by Emirates News Agency, confirm that Korea’s foreign tourist numbers surpassed 10 million in H1, driven by persistent double-digit growth from key regional markets. Data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism indicates that June alone welcomed 1.99 million foreign tourists, a 23.1 percent rise compared to June of the previous year. This monthly boost brought the total for the first six months to 10.71 million visitors, a 21.3 percent increase from the 8.8 million during the same period in 2025, and surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
East Asian neighbors remained the main contributors to Korea’s tourism growth during the first half. Mainland China continued as the top source, with 650,000 arrivals in June, and the fastest annual growth rate among major markets. Cumulative arrivals from China for January through June reached 3.21 million. Japan ranked second, with 350,000 visitors in June, totaling 1.95 million in the first half. Taiwan maintained its third-place position, adding 220,000 arrivals in June and reaching 1.15 million visitors over six months.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets fueled additional momentum in Korea’s tourism recovery. Official data show that long-haul arrivals from North America reached 220,000 in June, with the U.S. accounting for 177,744 of those travelers, and the total American inbound market hitting 810,000 in H1. European countries collectively brought in 120,000 visitors in June. Meanwhile, six Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, contributed a combined 230,000 travelers. Notably, visitor numbers from both Taiwan and the U.S. experienced rapid growth, increasing by over 160 percent compared to the baseline figures from the first half of 2019, before global travel restrictions were introduced.
Mainland China and Japan Drive Regional Tourism Expansion
Transportation data confirms that air travel remains the primary mode of entry for tourists, with 1.74 million foreign arrivals by air in June. A notable trend was the shift away from Seoul’s major airports, as regional airports like Gimhae International in Busan, Daegu International, Jeju International, and Cheongju International Airport experienced a 42.5 percent year-on-year increase to 395,246 visitors in June. This growth significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent rise seen at primary gateways such as Incheon International and Gimpo International Airport.
The surge in international arrivals generated record-breaking revenue for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during H1. The Korea Tourism Organization revealed that foreign visitor credit card spending exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, an all-time high for tourism income. Sector analysis indicates that foreign arrivals surpassed 10 million, with expenditures reaching this historic milestone roughly three months earlier than in 2025, when such spending only broke that level in September.
Chinese Tourist Numbers Support Growth in Inbound Travel
Officials attribute this sustained growth to targeted policy changes, increased flight capacity, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Measures such as extending visa-free programs for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international routes facilitated easier access for short-term visitors. Urban planning reports from the Seoul AI Foundation reveal that foreign travelers increasingly explore destinations outside the usual capital landmarks, boosting double-digit increases at outdoor markets, cultural sites, and hiking spots like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching 10 million arrivals before mid-year reinforces government forecasts aiming for 22 million to 23 million international tourists by year’s end. Officials expect travel momentum to intensify in the second half, driven by peak summer vacations, autumn festivals, and additional flight options connecting regional airports to major Asian cities. With foreign arrivals already exceeding 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism agencies are actively working with hospitality providers, local governments, and transport companies to maintain infrastructure and expand regional travel routes nationwide.