Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – According to official data published by Emirates News Agency, the Republic of Korea saw nearly 2 million international visitors in June alone. This milestone contributed to the first six months of the year surpassing a total of 10.71 million foreign arrivals, marking a significant milestone. The figures, compiled by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, reveal a 23.1 percent increase in June compared to the same month last year. The cumulative visitor count for the first half of the year increased by 21.3 percent from 8.8 million in the same period of 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the initial half of this year, East Asian neighboring countries continued to be the main contributors to South Korea’s tourism revival. Data indicates that mainland China remained the top source of international travelers, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest growth rate among major source markets year-over-year. The total number of Chinese visitors from January to June reached 3.21 million. Japan ranked second, with 350,000 visitors in June, bringing its total for the first six months to 1.95 million. Taiwan held 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 beyond traditional East Asian markets has bolstered South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official entry data shows that long-haul arrivals from North America reached 220,000 visitors in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744, pushing its total to 810,000 in the first half. European countries collectively brought in 120,000 visitors during June, while the six key Southeast Asian origin countries, including the Philippines, contributed a combined 230,000 travelers. Analysts noted that visitor numbers from Taiwan and the United States experienced particularly strong momentum, increasing by over 160 percent compared to the baseline figures of the first half of 2019, before global travel restrictions.
Mainland China and Japan Drive Regional Inbound Market Expansion
Transport data highlights that commercial aviation remains the primary entry route for incoming travelers, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, international entry patterns show a shift away from Seoul’s main gateways, as regional airports experienced quicker growth. Arrivals via regional airports such as Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport increased by 42.5 percent year-on-year, reaching 395,246 visitors in June. This growth significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent rise at primary entry hubs like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The sharp rise in international arrivals has led to record-breaking revenue for South Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors. The Korea Tourism Organization’s financial data shows that foreign visitor credit card expenditures exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of the year, setting a new tourism revenue record. Analysts pointed out that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals hit the 10 million mark in H1, and tourism spending hit the historic $6.8 billion milestone approximately three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures only surpassed that amount in September.
Chinese Tourist Growth Mirrors Overall International Travel Trends
Tourism authorities attribute the consistent growth in inbound travel to strategic regulatory modifications, increased air route capacities, and the rising global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Policies such as the extension of temporary visa-free entry programs for organized Chinese tour groups and the reinstatement of international flight routes have directly eased entry procedures for short-term visitors. Reports from the Seoul AI Foundation indicate that travelers are increasingly exploring destinations outside the traditional capital landmarks, boosting double-digit visitor increases at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and hiking trails such as Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching the 10 million international arrival mark before midyear strengthens government forecasts to attract between 22 million and 23 million tourists for the year. Officials expect that the momentum of inbound travel will accelerate in the latter half, supported by peak summer holidays, autumn festivals, and more international flights connecting regional airports to key Asian destinations. With visitor numbers already exceeding 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism agencies continue to coordinate efforts with hospitality providers, regional governments, and transportation companies to enhance infrastructure and broaden regional travel options nationwide.