SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea experienced a tourism surplus of $596.6 million in June 2026, marking the strongest monthly figure since the onset of COVID-19. This represents an improvement of $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the tourism balance was at an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization indicate that June’s surplus ranks as the second-highest monthly record ever, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
The tourism account had been in deficit for 72 straight months from March 2020 through February 2026. In January, there was a $1.4034 billion shortfall, followed by a $1.0993 billion deficit in February. The balance shifted to positive in March, posting a $263.8 million surplus. It remained in the black in April at $159.9 million and in May at $220.5 million, reflecting ongoing recovery into June.
Tourism revenue in June reached $2.784 billion, while expenditures totaled $2.1874 billion. Foreign visitors spent an average of $1,397 per person during the month. Outbound South Korean travelers spent an average of $1,091 per person. The gap between tourism income and expenses resulted in a fourth consecutive monthly surplus, marking a notable turnaround from the deficits seen at the beginning of 2026.
Inbound Visitor Numbers Surge in June
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international travelers, reflecting a 23.1% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. China remained the top source of visitors with 649,582 arrivals, representing a 36.2% rise from June 2025. Japan followed with 348,216 visitors, up 21.3%. Taiwan contributed 223,127 visitors, while arrivals from the Americas reached 219,948, and Europe accounted for 119,445.
During the first half of 2026, total international arrivals hit 10,709,919, which is a 21% increase over the same period last year. Foreign tourist credit card spending during this timeframe amounted to 10.0389 trillion won, showing a 50.8% growth. In June alone, card transactions reached 2.0544 trillion won, a year-over-year rise of 66.4%. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization reported 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, a 42.5% increase.
Spending on Tourism Grows Alongside Visitor Numbers
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also highlighted increased tourism from markets outside Korea’s primary Asian source countries. Arrivals from the Americas totaled 1,077,287 in the first half of the year, marking a 12.7% rise from 2025. European visitors increased by 20.2%, reaching 738,943. Other long-haul destinations also experienced growth, with the United States contributing 811,974 visitors through June, an 11.1% increase, and Canada providing 157,003, up 17.1%.
The June tourism surplus follows three consecutive years of annual deficits exceeding $10 billion. These deficits amounted to $10.38 billion in 2023, $10.21 billion in 2024, and $10.76 billion in 2025. As of June 2026, the monthly tourism account has been in positive territory for four straight months. June’s income exceeded expenses by $596.6 million, delivering South Korea its most substantial monthly tourism surplus since the pandemic and its second-highest overall on record.