International arrivals rise 21.5% in the first nine months of 2026 as the government targets 30 million visitors, with a longer-term ambition of reaching 40 million annually.
Seoul – South Korea – Al Rehla
South Korea has announced that foreign visitor arrivals surpassed 20 million in 2026 for the first time in its history, setting a new tourism record before the end of the year.
The milestone was driven by the global popularity of Korean culture and growing demand for travel experiences centred on K-pop, television dramas and local cuisine.
On November 12, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the achievement came 14 years after the country first welcomed more than 10 million visitors in 2012. The previous annual record stood at 18.94 million visitors in 2025.
Tourism Arrivals and Spending Increase
Government figures showed that South Korea welcomed 17.11 million foreign visitors during the first nine months of 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 21.5%.
September alone recorded approximately 2.06 million visitors, an increase of 21.1% compared with the same month last year.
Tourism-related spending recorded through payment cards rose to 15.85 trillion won between January and September, compared with approximately 10.79 trillion won during the corresponding period in 2025, reflecting stronger economic activity associated with international visitors.
From 20 Million to 40 Million Visitors
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young described the 20-million-visitor milestone as a starting point for strengthening South Korea's position as a global tourism destination.
He said the government was working to develop infrastructure and tourism services capable of accommodating 30 million foreign visitors annually, with a longer-term ambition of attracting 40 million.
No binding deadline has been announced for achieving that target.
Expanding Tourism Beyond Seoul
The government is also seeking to distribute tourism activity more widely beyond the capital by developing regional destinations and improving transport connections and digital services.
This strategy carries economic significance, particularly as more than 80% of international visitors are concentrated in the greater Seoul metropolitan area.
Ensuring that other cities and regions benefit from the country's growing tourism sector remains a key challenge.
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