Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea reported welcoming nearly 2 million international visitors in June, which contributed to surpassing a significant milestone in the total number of foreign travelers entering the country during the initial six months of the year. Data released by the Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million in H1, driven by consistent double-digit growth in key regional source markets. According to statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, June alone saw 1.99 million foreign tourists arriving, a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly increase pushed the cumulative visitor count for the first half of the year to 10.71 million, reflecting a 21.3 percent growth from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025, and surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, neighboring East Asian nations continued to serve as the primary catalysts for South Korea’s tourism recovery. Travel statistics indicate that mainland China remained the top source of international arrivals, with 650,000 visitors in June, also recording the highest year-on-year growth rate among major source countries. The total number of Chinese visitors from January to June reached 3.21 million. Japan followed as the second-largest inbound market, bringing in 350,000 travelers in June, and accumulating a total of 1.95 million visitors over the six-month period. Meanwhile, Taiwan maintained its third-place position, contributing 220,000 arrivals in June and totaling 1.15 million inbound visitors during the first half of the year.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets has given additional impetus to South Korea’s international tourism rebound. Official data on arrivals showed that long-haul tourists from North America numbered 220,000 in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of these visitors, bringing the total American inbound figures to 810,000 during the first half of the year. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 arrivals in June, while the six main Southeast Asian source countries, including the Philippines, supplied a combined 230,000 travelers. Analysts from the government emphasized that visitor numbers from both Taiwan and the United States experienced especially strong growth, increasing by more than 160 percent compared to baseline figures from the first half of 2019, prior to the onset of global travel restrictions.
First Half Year Sees International Tourist Numbers Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels
Data from transport authorities indicated that commercial air travel remained the primary mode of entry for international visitors, with 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June alone. Notably, entry patterns showed a rapid shift away from Seoul, with regional airports experiencing faster growth compared to the major gateways within the Seoul metropolitan area. June saw regional airports such as Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport collectively accommodating 395,246 visitors, a 42.5 percent increase year-on-year that outpaced the 18.2 percent growth at key capital airports like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The remarkable rebound in international arrivals has translated into record-breaking revenue for South Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half of the year. According to financial data from the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign visitor credit card expenditures topped 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, marking an all-time high for tourism income. Sector analyses highlight that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals reached over 10 million in H1, with tourism spending reaching approximately 6.8 billion U.S. dollars three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not surpass that level until September, illustrating a faster recovery trajectory.
In June, Foreign Visitor Arrivals Hit Nearly 2 Million
Authorities overseeing tourism credits the ongoing growth to targeted regulatory reforms, increased air route capacity, and the rising global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Policies such as extending temporary visa-free entry for organized Chinese tour groups and reinstating international flight routes have made it easier for short-term visitors to enter the country. Additionally, urban development reports from the Seoul AI Foundation reveal that foreign travelers are increasingly exploring destinations beyond the typical capital city attractions, leading to double-digit increases in visitors at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and hiking spots like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching the 10 million foreign arrival milestone before midyear strengthens the government’s forecast to attract between 22 million and 23 million international tourists by year-end. Officials from the Ministry expect this momentum to intensify in the second half, supported by peak summer vacation periods, fall festivals, and additional international flights connecting regional airports to major Asian cities. With overall foreign visitor numbers already exceeding 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism authorities continue collaborating with hospitality providers, regional governments, and transport operators to enhance infrastructure capacity and promote regional travel across the country.