Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea reported nearly 2 million international arrivals in June, leading the Korea Tourism Organization to announce that the total number of foreign visitors entering the country during the initial six months of the year has surpassed a significant milestone. Official data released by Emirates News Agency confirms that Korea’s foreign tourist numbers exceeded 10 million in H1, driven by continuous double-digit growth across key regional markets. Data compiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shows that 1.99 million foreigners visited in June alone, a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly increase pushed the cumulative first-half total to 10.71 million visitors, a 21.3 percent growth from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025, and it surpasses 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. Travel records indicate that mainland China remained the largest source of international visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest year-on-year growth among major source markets. The six-month cumulative figures show Chinese visitors totaled 3.21 million from January to June. Japan ranked as the second-largest inbound market with 350,000 visitors in June, bringing its total for the first half to 1.95 million. Taiwan maintained its position as the third-largest source, with 220,000 arrivals in June and a total of 1.15 million visitors over the same period.
Expanding the geographical reach beyond traditional East Asian markets added further momentum to South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official figures indicate that long-haul arrivals from North America reached 220,000 in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of those visitors and bringing the total American inbound count to 810,000 for the first half. European nations combined contributed 120,000 arrivals in June, while the six key Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, brought in a total of 230,000 travelers. Government analysts highlighted that visitor numbers from both Taiwan and the United States showed particularly strong growth, increasing by over 160 percent compared to baseline figures from the first half of 2019, before global travel restrictions were imposed.
Mainland China and Japan Dominate Regional Growth in Inbound Tourism
Transport data demonstrated that commercial air travel remained the primary mode of entry for foreign visitors, with 1.74 million arrivals by air in June. Notably, international travel patterns indicated a rapid decentralization from Seoul’s major gateways, as regional airports saw accelerated growth rates. Arrivals via regional airports including Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport increased 42.5 percent year-on-year to reach 395,246 visitors in June. This growth significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent increase at main capital gateways such as Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The sharp rise in international arrivals generated record-breaking earnings for South Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half of the year. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization shows that foreign visitors’ credit card spending exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, marking a new all-time tourism revenue high. Sector analysis indicates that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals surpassed 10 million in H1, and spending reached the historic 6.8 billion U.S. dollar mark roughly three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not cross that threshold until September.
Chinese Visitor Numbers Drive Inbound Travel Growth Metrics
Officials in charge of tourism attribute the sustained growth in inbound travel to targeted policy adjustments, increased air route capacity, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Measures such as extending temporary visa-free policies for organized Chinese tour groups and reinstating international flight routes have directly eased entry procedures for short-term travelers. Reports from the Seoul AI Foundation reveal that foreign visitors are increasingly exploring beyond traditional capital landmarks, fueling double-digit increases at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and hiking locations like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Achieving the 10 million visitor milestone before midyear reinforces government forecasts of reaching 22 million to 23 million international tourists by year’s end. Officials expect inbound travel to further accelerate in the second half, driven by peak summer vacations, autumn festivals, and more international flights connecting regional airports to major Asian cities. With foreign visitor numbers already exceeding pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism authorities continue collaborating with hospitality providers, regional governments, and transportation companies to enhance infrastructure and expand regional travel options across the country.