Korea's tourism market has moved beyond a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels and entered a phase of genuine growth this year. More than 10.7 million foreign tourists visited the country in the first half alone, brightening prospects for the government's annual target of attracting 22 million to 23 million visitors.
According to the "June 2026 Korea Tourism Statistics" released by the Korea Tourism Organization on the 23rd, a total of 10,709,919 foreign tourists visited Korea from January to June this year. This marks a 21.3% increase from 8,825,967 during the same period last year. Compared with the first half of 2019, before the pandemic, the figure reached 126.9%, far exceeding the results of that time and going beyond a simple recovery in tourism demand.
The growth of the inbound market in the first half was led by nearby countries such as China, Japan and Taiwan. By country, China accounted for the most cumulative tourists at 3.21 million. It was followed by Japan with 1.95 million, Taiwan with 1.15 million, the United States with 810,000 and the Philippines with 360,000.
Tourists from Taiwan and the United States, in particular, increased sharply compared with before the pandemic. Taiwan recorded 188.4% of its first-half 2019 level, while the United States reached 168.6%, driving both the growth and diversification of the inbound tourism market.
In June alone, 1,993,128 foreigners visited Korea, up 23.1% from 1,619,220 in the same month last year. Compared with June 2019, the figure rose 135.0%.
In June as well, Chinese tourists were the most numerous at 650,000, followed by Japan with 350,000 and Taiwan with 220,000.
With the steep increase confirmed, the likelihood of achieving the "23 million annual visitors" goal being pursued by the government and the tourism industry is also growing.
Compared with last year, when the figure surpassed 10 million only in mid-July, the pace is more than a month faster.
The outlook for the tourism market in the second half is also bright. An extension of the temporary visa-free policy for Chinese group tourists, summer vacation travel demand, and the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays are scheduled. The expansion of international routes serving regional airports is also expected to support the growth in foreign tourists.
Meanwhile, the cumulative number of Korean outbound tourists from January to June this year stood at 14.96 million, recovering to 99.7% of the same period in 2019.
Korean outbound tourists in June numbered 2,004,723, down 10.0% from 2,226,396 in the same month the previous year, entering a pause.
