The number of foreign tourists visiting Korea has already surpassed last year's record of 18.94 million in October, achieving this milestone more than two months ahead of schedule. The government anticipates that if the current trend continues, the total will exceed 20 million by the third week of November and could reach 23 million by the end of the year.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 27th that the cumulative number of foreign tourists visiting Korea this year has surpassed last year's record. As of October 26, the provisional count of visitors stood at 18.91 million. Given that the average daily arrivals are approximately 64,000, the ministry confirmed that the previous record has been exceeded.
The pace of increase in visitors is steep compared to neighboring countries. By September this year, 17.11 million foreign tourists had visited Korea, marking a 21.5% increase from the same period last year. In contrast, foreign tourist numbers from Japan and Thailand decreased by 2.9% and 3.8%, respectively, while Vietnam saw a 14.5% increase. Korea has recorded a relatively high growth rate among major Asian tourist destinations.
Visitor growth has been consistent across various countries. By September, tourists from the Greater China region increased by 29.1% compared to the same period last year, while visitors from Japan and Southeast Asia rose by 16.9% and 15.3%, respectively. The Americas and Europe also saw a 15.1% increase. The recovery of major markets like China and Japan, along with rising demand from Southeast Asia and long-haul markets, has contributed to this growth.
As the number of tourists increases, domestic spending has also surged. By September, foreign tourists' spending in Korea had risen by 47.7% compared to the same period last year. The highest spending category was shopping at 37.0%, followed by accommodation at 19.6% and medical & wellness services at 16.6%. The influx of tourists has led to increased consumption in related sectors such as accommodation, shopping, and healthcare.
Regional tourism indicators have also improved. By September, 4.82 million foreign visitors entered through airports and ports outside the capital region, a nearly 29% increase from 3.74 million during the same period last year. The number of visits by foreign tourists to regions outside the capital rose from 54.07 million to 64.72 million, an increase of about 20%. This indicates a growing trend of foreign visitors entering areas outside the capital and actively exploring domestic regions.
The government attributes this record-breaking achievement to the global spread of K-culture, improvements in tourism products and services, expanded flight options, and relaxed visa issuance. The additional budget allocation in response to the Middle East conflict and enhanced overseas marketing efforts have also contributed to attracting more tourists.
If the current trend continues, the number of tourists by the end of the year is expected to significantly exceed last year's figures. The government predicts that approximately 1.94 million people will visit Korea in November, leading to a cumulative total of over 20 million by the third week of that month. There are also hopes of achieving the initial target of 23 million set at the beginning of the year.
As the number of tourists grows rapidly, enhancing the quality of growth has become crucial. There are calls to reduce the high dependence on East Asian markets such as China, Japan, and Taiwan, while also increasing the length of stay and spending by foreign tourists. Although the number of visitors from outside the capital and regional visits has increased, connecting this growth to local accommodation, spending, and repeat visits remains a challenge.
The government is pursuing tourism policies aimed at attracting 30 million visitors by 2030 and 40 million by 2033, moving beyond the 20 million milestone. On the 20th, a related regulation amendment was passed in the Cabinet meeting to elevate the National Tourism Strategy Meeting from being chaired by the Prime Minister to being under the President's direct oversight. This aims to strengthen the coordination of tourism policies across government levels and enhance cooperation between central and local governments and the private sector.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young stated, "Achieving the highest number of foreign tourists visiting Korea two months ahead of schedule makes the ambitious goal of reaching 23 million by the end of the year feasible." He added, "Based on the current growth trend, we will focus on not only quantitative expansion but also qualitative consolidation to ensure that Korea firmly establishes itself as an 'irreplaceable travel destination' in the global tourism market."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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