South Korea Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 18 June 2025

South Korea attracts millions of visitors every year due to its vibrant cities, landscapes, cultural heritage, and the global phenomenon of K-dramas and K-pop.

How many people visit South Korea each year?

11 to 18 million international tourists visit South Korea each year.¹

• In 2019, South Korea welcomed 17.5 million international visitors marking the highest recorded visitors in history. 

• When the pandemic started, this number dropped by 85% to 2.5 million visits in 2020.

• By 2021, international tourists increased by 61% with 967,000 visitors. 

• Inbound tourism rose with 3.20 million visitors in 2022 increased to 11.03 million in 2023, and continued to recover in 2024 with 16.36 million visitors (a 48% increase from 2023), though this was still 6.5% less than the pre-pandemic peak.

How many people visited South Korea in 2025?

From January to March 2025, South Korea welcomed 3.42 million international visitors, slightly up from 3.40 million during the same period in 2024.

• January: 1.12M (3.7% increase from 1.08M in Jan 2024)
  
• February: 1.14M (2.6% decrease  from 1.17M in Feb 2024)
  
• March: 1.16M ( 2.7% increase from 1.13M in Mar 2024)
  

This indicates a 0.6% year-over-year growth for Q1, showing steady recovery momentum.

How many people visited South Korea in 2024?

• South Korea welcomed 16.36 million international visitors in 2024 — a strong rebound that was 48% higher than in 2023 and just 6.5% short of the record set in 2019.
  
  

How much do tourists spend in South Korea every year?

International visitors spent a total of over $16.70 billion during trips to South Korea in 2024.This was a 11% increase from 2023 and just 34.5% below the pre-pandemic peak of 2019.

• Inbound tourist expenditure in South Korea generated $25.46 billion in 2019.

• This number decreased to $11.52 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions and fewer international visitors. This decreased by another 1% in 2021 to $11.43 million.

• In 2022, international tourism revenue increased to $14.50 billion and continued to rise in 2023, with $15.01 billion.

How much did tourists spend in South Korea in 2024?

• Tourists spent $16.70 billion in South Korea in 2024, marking an 11% increase from 2023. While still 34.5% below the 2019 peak of $25.46 billion, it reflects a continued rebound in international tourism spending.
  
  

How much revenue does South Korea make in tourism?

• According to the WTTC, South Korea’s total tourism revenue in 2019 was ₩10 trillion. In 2022, South Korea’s tourism revenue amounted to ₩7.7 trillion, representing 7.6% of the total GDP.
  
  

How much does it cost to visit South Korea?

The average expenditure per inbound tourist to South Korea was approximately $1,021 USD  per trip in 2024, covering accommodation, food, shopping, and activities.

Overall travel costs vary depending on travel style:

• Budget travelers can expect to spend around $60–$100 USD per day, including basic lodging, meals, and public transport.
  
• Mid-range travelers typically spend about $120–$200 USD per day, with comfortable hotels, sit-down meals, and tours.
  
• Luxury travelers may spend $250 USD or more per day, enjoying premium hotels, private guides, and upscale dining.
  
  

Which country visits South Korea the most?

The leading source of foreign tourists to South Korea continues to be China, followed by Japan, Taiwan, and the United States.²

In 2024:

• China remained the top source market with 4.6 million visitors.

• Japan followed with 3.2 million tourists.

• Taiwan contributed 1.5 million visits.

• The United States accounted for 1.3 million arrivals.

How long do visitors stay in South Korea?

• In 2024, the average length of stay for tourists in South Korea was 7.8 days. Inbound tourists generally spent 7.5 days in 2020 exploring South Korea’s popular cities and attractions.
  
  
  

Global Travel Resources

South Korea Tourism Statistics – Economic Impact

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) highlighted that South Korea’s travel and tourism sector grew by 18.2% to ₩84.71 trillion in 2023.³

• The sector created 76,600 new jobs, increasing total employment to 1.34 million, a 6.1% rise.

• International visitor spending reached ₩24.3 trillion, and domestic spending climbed to ₩34.45 trillion.
  
  

When is the best time to visit South Korea?

August, October, and April are the best times to visit South Korea.

• August 2024 welcomed 1.56 million visitors. This marked the peak summer vacation period, highlighted by the popular Boryeong Mud Festival.

• October 2024 attracted 1.60 million tourists who enjoyed its autumn weather and vibrant festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival and Seoul Lantern Festival.

• April 2024 saw 1.46 million visitors drawn by the cherry blossom season and events like the Jinhae and Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festivals.

• September 2024 brought in 1.46 million visitors, offering mild weather and fewer crowds before the autumn peak.

• March 2024 welcomed 1.49 million tourists, signaling the start of spring and early seasonal events.

How popular is South Korea as a tourist destination?

• South Korea’s popularity as a tourist destination continues to grow, driven by the global spread of Korean popular culture, including K-pop and K-drama.⁴

• South Korea received several honors at the World Travel Awards in 2024:
  
  • South Korea’s Leading Tour Operator: Etourism, recognized for its exceptional services.
    
  • South Korea’s Leading Luxury Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, awarded for its outstanding hospitality.
    
  • South Korea’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand: Frasers Hospitality, acknowledged for its premium accommodations.

• In 2023, TIME Magazine named Jeju Island, often called the Hawaii of South Korea, one of the World’s 50 Greatest Places.

• The increase in interest has led to more travel opportunities, with airlines like Delta Air Lines expanding nonstop services to South Korea, enhancing connectivity for international visitors.
  
  

South Korea Travel Statistics – International & Domestic Tourism

In 2022, South Korea received a total of 286.92 million international and domestic tourists.

• Pre-Pandemic Period (2016-2019): South Korea experienced steady growth in both international and domestic visitors, peaking in 2019 with 362 million visitors.

• Pandemic Impact (2020-2021): The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism, causing a 32% drop in 2020 and a further decrease in 2021 with 246 million visitors.

• Despite the pandemic, domestic tourism showed more resilience compared to international tourism, reflecting reliance on local travel during global disruptions.

Why do people visit South Korea?

• Food/Culinary was a primary reason why people visited South Korea. It attracted 431,000 visitors in 2024, accounting for 16% of the total, highlighting the global interest in Korean cuisine.

• Nature/Travel drew 344,000 visitors, representing 13%, showcasing South Korea’s natural beauty, including mountains, beaches, and parks.

• Shopping brought in 336,000 visitors, making up 13% of the share, reflecting South Korea’s reputation for fashion, cosmetics, and bustling markets.

• History/Culture accounted for 186,000 visits (7.2% of the total), underscoring the country’s rich heritage and cultural landmarks.

• Other Reasons comprised 1,297,000 visits, making up 50% of the total. This indicated a diverse range of attractions and interests among visitors.
  
  

Is it safe to visit South Korea?

Yes, South Korea is considered a very safe country to visit. It consistently ranks among the safest destinations in Asia due to its low crime rates, reliable public transportation, and strong infrastructure.

• Violent crime is rare, and petty crimes like pickpocketing are uncommon but can occur in crowded areas.

• Public transportation, including subways and buses, is clean, efficient, and safe even at night.

• Solo and female travelers generally report feeling safe, even when exploring cities alone.

• Emergency services are responsive, and many major tourist areas have English-speaking staff or assistance centers.

• As with any destination, it’s wise to stay informed about local guidelines and monitor weather conditions, especially during summer typhoon season (July–September).

Overall, South Korea offers a secure environment for travelers, with a strong emphasis on public order and visitor safety.

South Korea Tourist Attractions

• Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park and resort, attracted 5.7 million visitors from around the world.

• KINTEX, the vast Korean International Exhibition Center, had 5.31 million visitors, making it a popular venue for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.

• Lotte World, offering both indoor and outdoor attractions, brought joy to 4.52 million visitors in its expansive theme park.

• The National Museum of Korea, showcasing Korean history, culture, and art, welcomed 3.4 million visitors in 2022.

• Gyeongbokgung Palace, the grandest of South Korea’s five palaces dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, hosted 3.39 million visitors.
  
  

Asia Travel Statistics Resources

• China Statistics
• Dubai Statistics
• Hong Kong Statistics
• India Statistics
• Indonesia Statistics (incl. Bali)
• Israel Statistics
• Japan Statistics (incl. Hokkaido, Okinawa, Osaka, Tokyo)
• Malaysia Statistics
• Saudi Arabia Statistics
• Singapore Statistics
• Sri Lanka Statistics
• Thailand Statistics (incl. Bangkok)
• Turkey Statistics

Africa Travel Statistics Resources

• Egypt Statistics
• Morocco Statistics
  
  

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References

1. UNWTO: Inbound Statistics in South Korea ↩︎
2. KTO: Inbound Key Figures Statistics of South Korea ↩︎
3. WTTC: Economic Impact of South Korea’s Tourism in 2023 ↩︎
4. TP: South Korea Growth in Popularity ↩︎