Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – Nearly 2 million international tourists visited the Republic of Korea in June, contributing to a significant milestone as the total number of foreign arrivals in the first six months of the year exceeded 10 million. Data released by the government and verified by Emirates News Agency confirm that Korea’s foreign tourist numbers topped 10 million in H1, driven by persistent double-digit growth in key regional markets. According to figures from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, June alone saw 1.99 million foreign visitors, a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly growth pushed the cumulative first-half total to 10.71 million arrivals, representing a 21.3 percent increase 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, East Asian neighboring nations continued to serve as the main contributors to Korea’s tourism recovery. Data on inbound travel shows that mainland China remained the leading source of international visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June and the highest year-on-year growth among major source countries. The total number of Chinese visitors from January to June reached 3.21 million. Japan ranked second among inbound markets, with 350,000 visitors in June, bringing its six-month total to 1.95 million. Taiwan maintained its third-place position, with 220,000 arrivals during June and a total of 1.15 million visitors over the first half of the year.
Expanding beyond traditional East Asian markets has provided additional momentum to South Korea’s tourism sector. Official data on arrivals indicate that long-haul travelers from North America reached 220,000 visitors in June, with the United States contributing 177,744 of those travelers. This brought the U.S. inbound total for the first half of the year to 810,000. European countries collectively accounted for 120,000 arrivals in June, while the six leading Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, contributed a combined 230,000 travelers. Analysts from the government noted that visitor numbers from both Taiwan and the United States have experienced particularly strong growth, increasing by over 160 percent compared to baseline figures from the first half of 2019, prior to global travel restrictions.
First Half of the Year Sees International Tourist Arrivals Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels
Transport and logistics data highlight that commercial aviation continues to be the primary route for inbound travelers, with 1.74 million foreign arrivals by air in June. Notably, patterns of international entry show a quick decentralization from Seoul, as regional airports experienced faster growth compared to major gateways in the Seoul metropolitan area. Arrivals through 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 increase at main capital gateways like Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.
The surge in international visitor numbers has generated record-breaking revenue for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors during the first half of the year. According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign credit card spending exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars in this period, setting an all-time tourism revenue record. Sector analysis indicates that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals in H1 reached over 10 million while spending milestones of 6.8 billion U.S. dollars were achieved roughly three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not pass that threshold until September.
June’s Arrival Figures Hit 1.99 Million Foreign Tourists
Officials from the tourism sector credit the sustained growth to strategic regulatory adjustments, expanded air route capacities, 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 directly eased entry for short-term visitors. Data from the Seoul AI Foundation shows that foreign visitors are increasingly exploring destinations outside the traditional capital landmarks, resulting in double-digit increases at outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and hiking areas like Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching the 10 million foreign arrivals milestone before midyear supports government forecasts of attracting 22 million to 23 million international tourists by year-end. Officials expect the momentum to strengthen during the second half, boosted by peak summer holidays, fall festivals, and additional international flights connecting regional airports to major Asian cities. With foreign visitor numbers already surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels by nearly 27 percent, tourism authorities continue collaborating with hospitality providers, regional governments, and transportation companies to enhance infrastructure and expand travel options nationwide.