DEEP ANALYSIS
Are Foreign Tourists Really Increasing in Korea?… The Current Status of Inbound Tourism in the First Half of 2026 Told by Numbers
In a media interview, Professor Ji Yoon-ho of the Department of Tourism at Kangwon National University diagnosed that the visit patterns of foreign tourists are moving away from specific countries or Seoul-centric destinations, and that the so-called 'glocal' strategy linked with regional tourist spots is proving effective following the spread of K-contents. He added that a structural approach to strengthen the regional tourism ecosystem will be necessary in the future. As travel remains a non-constant demand, some tourism specialized reports late last year warned that since travel demand, unlike daily necessities, can be canceled at any time, a high number of visitors last year does not guarantee more this year, necessitating precise responses tailored to the sensibilities of travelers from various countries.
In a media interview, Professor Ji Yoon-ho of the Department of Tourism at Kangwon National University diagnosed that the visit patterns of foreign tourists are moving away from specific countries or Seoul-centric destinations, and that the so-called 'glocal' strategy linked with regional tourist spots is proving effective following the spread of K-contents. He added that a structural approach to strengthen the regional tourism ecosystem will be necessary in the future. As travel remains a non-constant demand, some tourism specialized reports late last year warned that since travel demand, unlike daily necessities, can be canceled at any time, a high number of visitors last year does not guarantee more this year, necessitating precise responses tailored to the sensibilities of travelers from various countries.
To the question, "Are foreign tourists really increasing in Korea?", official statistics available as of June 11, 2026, provide a relatively clear answer.…
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