Foreign visitors to South Korea in the first half of 2026: 10,710,000
Decline in the number of South Korean citizens traveling abroad on a monthly basis
In the first half of 2026, the number of foreign tourists visiting South Korea reached 10,709,919, exceeding 10 million for the first time ever. In contrast, 14,961,910 Korean nationals traveled abroad during the same period, an increase of 2.7% from the same period a year earlier, but the number declined year on year in May and June.
According to the 2026 June edition of the Korea Tourism Statistics, released by the Korea Tourism Organization, the Korean tourism market in the first half of this year showed a trend of rapid recovery in inbound tourism demand, coupled with a slowdown in the growth of outbound travel.
Foreign tourists visiting South Korea exceed 10 million for the first half of the year, a record high
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the cumulative number of foreign tourists visiting South Korea exceeded 10,000,000 as of the third week of June 2026. According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, the cumulative number of foreign tourists visiting South Korea from January to June reached 10,700,009,919.
During the month of June, the number of foreign visitors to South Korea was 1,990,003,128, an increase of 23.1% compared to the same month of the previous year. With the monthly number of visitors approaching 2,000,000, this trend of approximately 2,000,000 visitors per month has continued for four consecutive months, from March to June.
Asia, including China, Japan, and Taiwan, is leading market growth
In June, China had the most visitors to South Korea, with approximately 650,000, followed by Japan with approximately 348,000, Taiwan with approximately 223,000, the United States with approximately 178,000, and Hong Kong with approximately 66,000.
The increase in inbound tourists in the first half of the year was driven by the recovery of Northeast Asian markets, including China and Japan, and expanding travel demand across Asia. According to Korea Tourism Organization statistics, the cumulative number of visitors to Korea from China in the first half of the year reached 3,211,791, the largest among the major markets.
Number of South Korean Tourists Traveling Abroad: 14,960,000
May and June saw a decrease in the number of tourists compared to the previous year
Korean outbound tourists totaled 14,961,910 from January to June 2026, a 2.7% increase from the 14,563,624 recorded during the same period last year. Compared with the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure shows that the number had recovered to 99.7% of its previous level.
However, the monthly trend differed from the overall growth rate for the first half of the year. In May, approximately 2.34 million citizens departed for overseas destinations, a 2.1% decrease from the same month of the previous year, while the number of outbound travelers in June was 2,004,723, down approximately 10% from the same month of the previous year.
Accordingly, the overseas travel market in the first half of the year is assessed as having shown a recovery trend at the beginning of the year, followed by a weakening momentum in growth from May onwards. Airfares , fuel surcharges, and local prices, which are travel expenses, may have influenced monthly demand, but it is difficult to definitively determine specific factors based solely on statistics.
Changes and policy challenges in the Korean tourism market
The statistics for the first half of 2026 indicate that the increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting South Korea is emerging as a new driving force for growth in the domestic tourism industry. In particular, the combined increase in spending by foreign tourists and the number of arrivals at regional airports highlights the importance of diversifying tourism demand, which has been concentrated in the metropolitan area, to other regions.
The government and the Korea Tourism Organization are working to attract more foreign tourists by expanding tourism content and regional packages, and by combining unique Korean experiences such as K-pop, performances, and cultural heritage with overseas marketing strategies.
However, simply increasing the number of visitors to South Korea is not enough. To truly boost tourism, it is necessary to increase the length of stay and per capita spending through high-value tourism, improve foreign language services and transportation convenience, and expand regional tourism infrastructure.
Second-half tourism market outlook and information for travelers
In the second half of the year, domestic and international travel may increase again due to summer vacations, the Chuseok holiday, and various cultural events. However, the pace of recovery in overseas travel demand may vary depending on international oil prices, airfares, exchange rates, and the economic conditions of major countries.
When planning overseas travel, it is advisable for citizens to check not only airfare and accommodation costs, but also fuel surcharges, exchange rates, travel insurance, and local safety information. Domestic businesses that welcome foreign tourists need to prepare by providing multilingual information, convenient payment options, and local transportation information, so that the increased demand for visits to Korea translates into actual sales and repeat visits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many foreign tourists visited South Korea in the first half of 2026?
According to statistics from the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of foreign tourists visiting South Korea from January to June 2026 is 10,700,009,919. This is the first time that the number of visitors to South Korea has exceeded 10 million in the first half of the year.
Which country receives the most foreign tourists?
As of June, the largest number of tourists came from China, with approximately 650,000 visitors. Japan, Taiwan, the United States, and Hong Kong followed in order.
How many more international tourists did South Korean citizens have in the first half of 2026?
In the first half of the year, 14,961,910 Korean nationals traveled abroad, an increase of 2.7% from the same period last year. Compared with the same period in 2019, this was 99.7% of the level then.
When did the actual number of South Korean citizens traveling abroad decrease?
While the cumulative number of departures increased in the first half of the year, the figures for May and June decreased compared to the same months of the previous year. The number of departures in May was approximately 2,340,000, a decrease of 2.1%. In June, the number was 2,004,723, a decrease of approximately 10%.
What should you check when preparing for trips in the second half of the year?
It is advisable to check airfares, fuel surcharges, exchange rates, local prices, travel insurance, and the safety information for each country provided by the diplomatic authorities. Booking flights and accommodations early is also helpful, especially during peak season.
