South Korea: foreign visitors top annual record with two months to go

With more than two months of 2026 still left, South Korea has already welcomed more foreign visitors than in any earlier year. Estimates from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism put arrivals at 18.94 million as of Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Over January to September, the number of people coming from abroad climbed 21.5% on a year earlier. Greater China led the growth with a 29.1% jump. Japan followed at 16.9%, ahead of Southeast Asia at 15.3% and the combined Europe and Americas market at 15.1%, according to ministry data.

What visitors spent grew far more sharply, rising 47.7% year on year across those nine months. Shopping took the biggest slice, at 37%. Hotels and other lodging came next, making up 19.6% of outlays, while 16.6% went on medical care and wellness.

The ministry credited the rise to more flights, eased visa rules, easier travel around the country and a stronger marketing effort overseas.

In a press release issued on Oct. 27, Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said that setting the record so early leaves the government close to its year-end goal: 23 million foreign arrivals.

Should the present rhythm continue, the ministry anticipates roughly 1.94 million foreign visitors during November.