Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – According to official data published by Emirates News Agency, the Republic of Korea recorded nearly 2 million international visitors in June, pushing the total foreign arrivals for the first half of the year past a significant milestone. The figures show Korea’s foreign tourist numbers surpassed 10 million in H1 amid consistent double-digit growth from key regional source markets. Data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism indicate that 1.99 million foreign tourists came in during June alone, marking a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly growth pushed the cumulative arrivals in the first six months to 10.71 million, a 21.3 percent increase from the 8.8 million during the same period in 2025, and it exceeded pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
Throughout the first half of the year, neighboring East Asian nations continued to be the main drivers of South Korea’s tourism growth. Official travel records highlight that mainland China remained the top single source of international visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the fastest year-on-year growth rate among major source countries. The total Chinese visitors from January to June reached 3.21 million. Japan ranked as the second-largest inbound market, contributing 350,000 visitors in June, which brought its six-month total 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 for the first half of the year.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets provided additional momentum for South Korea’s tourism recovery. Official data reveal that long-haul arrivals from North America reached 220,000 visitors in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of those, bringing the U.S. inbound total to 810,000 for the first half. European countries collectively contributed 120,000 arrivals during June, while the six primary Southeast Asian countries—including the Philippines—had a combined 230,000 travelers. Analysts noted that visitor numbers from both Taiwan and the U.S. grew significantly, increasing by more than 160 percent compared to the baseline figures from the first half of 2019, prior to the global travel restrictions.
First Half Tourist Arrivals Outperform Pre-Pandemic Levels
Transport data shows that commercial flights remained the main entry method for inbound travelers, with air travel accounting for 1.74 million foreign arrivals in June. Notably, international arrivals are increasingly decentralizing from Seoul, as regional airports experienced faster growth than the major gateways in the Seoul metropolitan area. Inbound travelers through regional airports—including Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport—increased by 42.5 percent year-on-year to reach 395,246 visitors in June. This growth significantly outpaced the 18.2 percent rise at main entry points such as Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The rebound in international arrivals generated record-breaking financial results for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors in the first half of the year. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization shows foreign visitor credit card expenditures surpassed 6.8 billion U.S. dollars during this period, setting a new tourism revenue record. Sector analyses indicate that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million in H1, reaching the historic 6.8 billion U.S. dollar spending milestone about three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not cross that threshold until September.
June Arrivals Hit Nearly 2 Million Foreign Tourists
Authorities responsible for tourism credit the sustained growth to strategic regulatory adjustments, increased flight routes, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Measures such as extending temporary visa-free entry for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have simplified entry procedures for short-term visitors. Urban planning reports from the Seoul AI Foundation also reveal that foreign tourists are increasingly exploring destinations outside the usual capital landmarks, with notable increases at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and hiking spots like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching 10 million arrivals before midyear reinforces government projections aiming for 22 million to 23 million international visitors by year’s end. Officials expect the travel momentum to accelerate in the second half, supported by peak summer vacations, autumn festivals, and additional regional flight routes connecting airports to major Asian cities. Already surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic figures by nearly 27 percent, tourism agencies continue coordinating with hospitality providers, local governments, and transport services to maintain infrastructure capacity and broaden regional travel options nationwide.