Seoul, South Korea / RankWire.AI / – The Republic of Korea has surpassed 10.7 million international travelers in the first six months, with nearly 2 million arriving in June alone, according to official data. This achievement marks a significant milestone, driven by consistent double-digit growth from key regional markets. Data from the Emirates News Agency confirms that South Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals crossed the 10 million mark in H1, reflecting a 21.3 percent increase from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025 and outpacing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent. The monthly figure for June, at 1.99 million visitors, highlights a 23.1 percent rise year-over-year, pushing the total for the first half of 2025 to 10.71 million.
Throughout the year’s first half, neighboring East Asian countries continued to be the primary contributors to South Korea’s tourism recovery. Mainland China remained the top source of visitors, with 650,000 arrivals in June, and showed the fastest growth among major source markets on a yearly basis. The cumulative Chinese arrivals from January through June reached 3.21 million. Japan was the second-largest inbound market, contributing 350,000 visitors in June and totaling 1.95 million for the first half. Taiwan maintained its position as the third-largest source, with 220,000 arrivals in June and a total of 1.15 million visitors during the same period.
Diversification beyond traditional East Asian markets has further fueled South Korea’s tourism rebound. Official data indicates that long-haul visitors from North America reached 220,000 in June, with the United States accounting for 177,744 of that number, bringing total American arrivals to 810,000 in the first six months. European tourists made up 120,000 arrivals in June, while the six main Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, contributed a combined total of 230,000 travelers. Analysts from the government highlighted that visitor numbers from both Taiwan and the United States experienced particularly strong growth, increasing by over 160 percent compared to figures from the first half of 2019, prior to the travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.
Chinese and Japanese Markets Drive Regional Tourism Expansion
Transport data revealed that air travel remained the leading route for inbound travelers, with 1.74 million foreign arrivals by plane in June. Notably, international entry showed signs of decentralization, with regional airports experiencing rapid growth relative to the main gateways in Seoul. Arrivals at regional airports like Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Daegu International Airport, Jeju International Airport, and Cheongju International Airport increased by 42.5 percent year-on-year to 395,246 visitors in June, significantly outpacing the 18.2 percent rise at Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport, the primary capital entry points.
This sharp rebound in international arrivals has resulted in record-breaking revenue for Korea’s hospitality and retail sectors in the first half of the year. The Korea Tourism Organization reported that foreign visitor credit card spending exceeded 6.8 billion U.S. dollars, marking a new all-time high for tourism income. Sector analyses show that foreign arrivals topped 10 million during H1, with spending reaching the 6.8 billion dollar milestone approximately three months earlier than in 2025, when such expenditures did not surpass that level until September.
Inbound Growth Fueled by Chinese Visitors, Boosted by Policy Measures
Tourism authorities credit the continued growth to strategic policy adjustments, increased air route options, and the global appeal of Korean cultural exports. Initiatives like extending temporary visa-free programs for organized Chinese tour groups and restoring international flight routes have simplified entry processes for short-term travelers. Urban development reports from the Seoul AI Foundation indicate that foreign tourists are increasingly exploring beyond traditional capital landmarks, boosting double-digit growth in visits to outdoor markets, cultural heritage sites, and scenic hiking spots such as Achasan and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Reaching the 10 million visitor milestone before mid-year strengthens government projections of attracting between 22 million and 23 million international tourists by year-end. Officials expect the momentum to accelerate during the second half, aided by summer vacation peaks, autumn festivals, and additional international flights connecting regional airports with major Asian cities. Already surpassing the 2019 pre-pandemic visitor count by nearly 27 percent, South Korea’s tourism agencies are actively working with hospitality providers, regional administrations, and transportation companies to bolster infrastructure capacity and broaden regional travel options nationwide.