SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea achieved a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, marking its strongest monthly outcome since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This figure reflects a $1.44 billion increase compared to June 2025, when the country faced an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization reveal that June’s surplus ranks as the second-highest monthly figure on record, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
From March 2020 to February 2026, the tourism balance stayed in deficit for 72 consecutive months. The month of January recorded a $1.4034 billion shortfall, followed by February’s $1.0993 billion deficit. The balance turned positive in March with a $263.8 million surplus, remaining in the black through April at $159.9 million and May at $220.5 million, thereby signaling a sustained recovery into June.
In June, tourism revenue reached $2.784 billion, while expenditures amounted to $2.1874 billion. On average, foreign visitors spent $1,397 each during the month, whereas outbound South Korean travelers spent an average of $1,091 per person. The difference between receipts and spending resulted in a fourth straight monthly surplus, representing a significant turnaround from the deficits recorded earlier in 2026.
Inbound Visitor Numbers Surge in June
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international visitors, reflecting a 23.1% increase from the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. China continued to be the leading source market with 649,582 visitors, a rise of 36.2% compared to June 2025. Japan followed with 348,216 arrivals, up 21.3%. Taiwan contributed 223,127 visitors, while arrivals from the Americas reached 219,948, and Europe provided 119,445 visitors.
During the first half of 2026, international arrivals totaled 10,709,919, marking a 21% year-over-year increase. Foreign tourists’ credit card spending summed up to 10.0389 trillion won, a 50.8% jump. Specifically, June alone saw 2.0544 trillion won in card transactions, a 66.4% rise from the previous year. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization recorded 395,246 international arrivals via regional airports in June, a growth of 42.5%.
Visitor Growth Spurs Increased Tourism Spending
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also noted increased spending from regions outside Korea’s primary Asian markets. Arrivals from the Americas reached 1,077,287 in the first half of 2026, a 12.7% rise from the previous year. European visitors increased by 20.2%, totaling 738,943, with other long-distance markets also showing gains. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors through June, an 11.1% increase, while Canada added 157,003, up 17.1%.
The June surplus follows three consecutive years of annual tourism deficits exceeding $10 billion, with deficits of $10.38 billion in 2023, $10.21 billion in 2024, and $10.76 billion in 2025. As of June 2026, the monthly tourism balance has remained positive for four consecutive months. The June figure, exceeding tourism receipts by $596.6 million, represents South Korea’s largest monthly tourism surplus since the pandemic and ranks as the second-highest on record.
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