The Korean travel industry is roaring back to life with over 11 million international arrivals in 2023, setting the stage for a dynamic new era defined by record-breaking spending, a surge in K-culture tourism, and ambitious projections for future growth.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, South Korea recorded 11.03 million international tourist arrivals, a 21.0% increase from 2022 and 63.1% recovery from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
- Chinese visitors to South Korea numbered 3.06 million in 2023, accounting for 27.8% of total inbound tourists.
- Japanese tourists visiting South Korea reached 2.32 million in 2023, representing 21.0% of all international arrivals.
- In 2023, tourism revenue from inbound visitors reached 21.1 trillion KRW, up 29.5% from 2022.
- Average spending per international tourist in South Korea was 1.91 million KRW in 2023.
- Shopping accounted for 42.3% of total expenditures by foreign tourists in 2023.
- In 2023, 14.8 million domestic trips were taken by South Koreans, up 8.2% from 2022.
- Domestic tourism expenditure totaled 32.5 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Jeju Island hosted 15.2 million domestic visitors in 2023, 42% of all domestic trips.
- Chinese market share of inbound tourists was projected to reach 40% by 2027.
- 78.4% of foreign tourists visited Seoul as primary destination in 2023.
- Myeongdong shopping district attracted 2.1 million international shoppers in 2023.
- Tourism industry expected to grow at 5.8% CAGR to 2028.
- Inbound arrivals forecasted to hit 20 million by 2027.
- Tourism GDP contribution projected at 4.1% by 2028.
South Korea's travel industry is rebounding strongly with increasing tourism arrivals and spending.
Domestic Tourism
- In 2023, 14.8 million domestic trips were taken by South Koreans, up 8.2% from 2022.
- Domestic tourism expenditure totaled 32.5 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Jeju Island hosted 15.2 million domestic visitors in 2023, 42% of all domestic trips.
- Average domestic trip spending was 450,000 KRW per person in 2023.
- 67% of South Koreans took at least one domestic leisure trip in 2023.
- Family trips accounted for 38.5% of domestic travel in 2023.
- Seoul metropolitan area saw 6.1 million domestic overnight stays in 2023.
- Domestic air travel passengers numbered 28.4 million in 2023.
- Rural tourism participation grew 12% among domestic travelers in 2023.
- 22.3% of domestic trips were eco-tourism focused in 2023 surveys.
- Gyeongju attracted 4.7 million domestic tourists in 2023.
- Busan port city recorded 3.9 million domestic visitors in 2023.
- Average domestic stay length was 2.1 nights in 2023.
- 45.6% of domestic tourists used hotels for accommodation in 2023.
- Summer season (July-Aug) saw 4.2 million domestic trips in 2023.
- Chuseok holiday generated 2.8 million domestic travels in 2023.
- 31% of domestic spending was on food in 2023 trips.
- Gangwon Province hosted 3.2 million ski enthusiasts domestically in winter 2023.
- 52.1 million domestic day trips occurred in South Korea in 2023.
- Gyeonggi Province domestic visitors totaled 5.3 million overnight in 2023.
- 29.4% of domestic trips were by couples in 2023.
- Solo travel among domestic Koreans rose to 18.7% in 2023.
- Chungcheong region saw 2.1 million domestic tourists in 2023.
- High-speed rail (KTX) carried 68 million domestic passengers in 2023.
- 40% of domestic spending went to accommodation in 2023.
- Pension stays popular with 28% domestic accommodation choice in 2023.
- Lunar New Year domestic trips numbered 3.1 million in 2023.
- Jeonnam coastal areas attracted 2.8 million domestic beachgoers in 2023.
Domestic Tourism Interpretation
Despite Jeju Island nearly being declared an honorary Korean household member, the real story is a nation rekindling its love affair with home, spending trillions not just to escape, but to connect, feast, and rediscover its own backyard with gusto.
Future Projections and Trends
- Tourism industry expected to grow at 5.8% CAGR to 2028.
- Inbound arrivals forecasted to hit 20 million by 2027.
- Tourism GDP contribution projected at 4.1% by 2028.
- Sustainable tourism investments to reach 10 trillion KRW by 2025.
- Digital nomad visas expected to attract 500,000 visitors annually by 2026.
- MICE tourism revenue to double to 15 trillion KRW by 2027.
- 45% growth in luxury tourism segment by 2028 projected.
- EV charging stations at tourist sites to increase 300% by 2025.
- K-content tourism to drive 25% of arrivals by 2027.
- Domestic travel market size to expand to 40 trillion KRW by 2028.
- Air passenger traffic to grow 7.2% annually to 2030.
- Hotel room supply to rise 15% by 2026.
- Eco-tourism demand up 20% CAGR through 2028.
- Contactless payments in tourism to reach 85% adoption by 2025.
- Regional tourism (non-Seoul) to capture 35% market share by 2027.
- Medical tourism patients projected at 2 million annually by 2028.
- Incheon Airport passenger volume to hit 100 million by 2027.
- AI-powered personalization in travel apps by 70% of tourists by 2026.
- Adventure tourism segment to grow 18% YoY to 2028.
- Tourism employment to reach 1.5 million jobs by 2028.
- Visitor satisfaction score averaged 8.7/10 in 2023 KTO surveys.
- Muslim-friendly tourism facilities to expand 50% by 2026.
- Cruise ship port calls projected at 1,200 annually by 2028.
- VR/AR tourism experiences adoption to 40% by 2027.
- Family tourism market to grow 12% CAGR to 2028.
Future Projections and Trends Interpretation
Korea isn't just rolling out the welcome mat anymore, it's meticulously engineering an economic powerhouse where digital nomads, luxury seekers, and K-content pilgrims will soon be sipping soju alongside booming MICE delegates and eco-tourists, all while charging their EVs and paying contactless.
Inbound Visitor Statistics
- In 2023, South Korea recorded 11.03 million international tourist arrivals, a 21.0% increase from 2022 and 63.1% recovery from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
- Chinese visitors to South Korea numbered 3.06 million in 2023, accounting for 27.8% of total inbound tourists.
- Japanese tourists visiting South Korea reached 2.32 million in 2023, representing 21.0% of all international arrivals.
- US tourists to South Korea totaled 1.09 million in 2023, making up 9.9% of inbound visitors.
- Taiwan contributed 718,000 visitors to South Korea in 2023, or 6.5% of total international tourists.
- In December 2023, South Korea saw 1.12 million foreign tourists, the highest monthly figure post-COVID.
- Average length of stay for international tourists in South Korea was 6.8 days in 2023.
- 68.4% of 2023 inbound tourists to South Korea were first-time visitors.
- Female international tourists outnumbered males by 52.3% to 47.7% in South Korea in 2023.
- Age group 20-29 years comprised 28.2% of all foreign visitors to South Korea in 2023.
- In 2023, 82.1% of inbound tourists arrived via Incheon International Airport.
- Visa-free entries accounted for 76.5% of total international arrivals to South Korea in 2023.
- Southeast Asian tourists (excluding Japan/China) made up 14.3% of South Korea's 2023 inbound market.
- European visitors to South Korea totaled 436,000 in 2023, a 45% YoY growth.
- Australians numbered 178,000 inbound tourists to South Korea in 2023.
- In Q1 2024, South Korea welcomed 3.27 million foreign tourists, up 38% from Q1 2023.
- 2023 saw 1.45 million medical tourists visiting South Korea, a 15% increase YoY.
- K-pop fans represented 12.4% of total inbound tourists in 2023.
- Night tourism participation among inbound visitors reached 67.3% in 2023 surveys.
- 55.2% of 2023 foreign tourists used public transport during their stay in South Korea.
- Incheon International Airport handled 76.2 million passengers in 2023, 85% of international arrivals.
- Gimpo Airport domestic passengers reached 25.1 million in 2023.
- 9.4% of 2023 inbound tourists came from Southeast Asia excluding major markets.
- Russians visited South Korea 120,000 times in 2023 despite geopolitics.
- Indians numbered 98,000 tourists to South Korea in 2023, up 25%.
- November 2023 inbound arrivals hit 1.01 million, highest ever for that month.
- Repeat visitors made up 31.6% of total in 2023.
- 25-39 age group was 35.1% of inbound tourists in 2023.
- Gimhae Airport (Busan) served 8.7 million passengers including internationals in 2023.
- 18.2% of tourists were on group tours in 2023.
Inbound Visitor Statistics Interpretation
South Korea's tourism industry in 2023, while still doing a cautious two-step back from its pre-pandemic glory, was nevertheless a vibrant stage where first-time visitors, predominantly women in their 20s, arrived mostly visa-free through Incheon, stayed for nearly a week to chase K-pop dreams and medical procedures by day before exploring the night, proving that while China and Japan may be leading the dance, the rest of the world is eagerly joining the party.
Key Attractions and Preferences
- Chinese market share of inbound tourists was projected to reach 40% by 2027.
- 78.4% of foreign tourists visited Seoul as primary destination in 2023.
- Myeongdong shopping district attracted 2.1 million international shoppers in 2023.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace saw 1.8 million foreign visitors in 2023.
- 62% of tourists preferred K-culture experiences like K-beauty in 2023.
- Jeju Island welcomed 2.9 million international tourists in 2023.
- Nami Island drew 450,000 foreign drama fans in 2023.
- 51.7% of visitors engaged in food tourism, trying Korean BBQ in 2023.
- DMZ tours participated by 320,000 international tourists in 2023.
- Han River activities enjoyed by 1.2 million foreigners in 2023.
- 73% satisfaction rate for cultural heritage sites among 2023 tourists.
- Lotte World theme park hosted 1.1 million international guests in 2023.
- Busan beaches saw 680,000 foreign swimmers in summer 2023.
- 41% of tourists shopped for cosmetics in 2023 surveys.
- Everland amusement park attracted 890,000 overseas visitors in 2023.
- 28.5% preferred wellness/spa tourism in South Korea 2023.
- 65.3% of inbound tourists ranked shopping as top activity in 2023.
- 47.2% participated in K-pop concerts or events in 2023.
- Insadong cultural street visited by 1.4 million foreigners in 2023.
- 33% tried hanbok experience during 2023 visits.
- Bulguksa Temple drew 210,000 international pilgrims in 2023.
- Hongdae street performances enjoyed by 1.6 million tourists in 2023.
- 56% satisfaction for street food tours among foreigners 2023.
- Hallyu content influenced 39% of trip decisions in 2023.
- Ski resorts like Yongpyong hosted 150,000 foreign skiers in 2023.
- 22% engaged in hiking at national parks in 2023.
- Itaewon nightlife district popular with 920,000 visitors in 2023.
- 19.8% chose gambling tourism in Jeju casinos 2023.
- Jogyesa Temple meditation sessions for 180,000 foreigners in 2023.
- Duty-free stores in airports sold 8.9 trillion KRW to tourists 2023.
Key Attractions and Preferences Interpretation
If Seoul's streets could talk, they'd boast that while nearly 80% of tourists start there to devour K-culture, shop, and eat BBQ, over half the country's tourism blueprint by 2027 will be written in Mandarin.
Tourism Expenditure and Revenue
- In 2023, tourism revenue from inbound visitors reached 21.1 trillion KRW, up 29.5% from 2022.
- Average spending per international tourist in South Korea was 1.91 million KRW in 2023.
- Shopping accounted for 42.3% of total expenditures by foreign tourists in 2023.
- Accommodation spending by inbound tourists totaled 4.8 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Food and beverage expenses from international visitors hit 3.9 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Chinese tourists spent 7.2 trillion KRW in South Korea in 2023, 34.1% of total inbound spend.
- Japanese visitor spending averaged 1.65 million KRW per person in 2023.
- Tourism contributed 3.2% to South Korea's GDP in 2023, equating to 72.4 trillion KRW.
- Duty-free shopping revenue from tourists reached 12.5 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Inbound tourism created 1.2 million jobs in South Korea in 2023.
- Transportation spending by foreigners was 2.3 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Cultural activities expenditure totaled 1.7 trillion KRW from inbound in 2023.
- US tourists spent average 2.4 million KRW each in 2023.
- Taiwanese spending averaged 1.82 million KRW per trip in 2023.
- Tourism tax revenue from inbound reached 1.1 trillion KRW in 2023.
- Export value of tourism services was 24.8 billion USD in 2023.
- 35.7% of spending was on luxury goods by Chinese tourists in 2023.
- Hotel occupancy rate for international guests averaged 72% in 2023.
- ADR (average daily rate) for hotels rose 15% to 180,000 KRW in 2023.
- Entertainment spending hit 1.4 trillion KRW from foreigners in 2023.
Tourism Expenditure and Revenue Interpretation
It appears South Korea's tourism industry, powered by shopping sprees and a particularly lavish wave of Chinese visitors, has effectively turned the entire country into a duty-free department store with a side of kimchi, culture, and comfortable hotels.
Sources & References
- Reference 1KTOkto.visitkorea.or.krVisit source
- Reference 2ENGLISHenglish.visitkorea.or.krVisit source
- Reference 3KOREAHERALDkoreaherald.comVisit source
- Reference 4STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 5KOSTATkostat.go.krVisit source
- Reference 6WTTCwttc.orgVisit source
- Reference 7AIRPORTairport.krVisit source
- Reference 8AIRPORTairport.co.krVisit source