Tourists spend $828 on average during 6-day stays in Busan, survey finds

Foreign tourists visit Jagalchi Market in downtown Busan, Thursday. Yonhap

As Busan welcomed more than 3 million foreign tourists this October — a record — a city survey found visitors stayed six days on average and spent $828 each.

Among the 1,060 foreign tourists surveyed last year, 90.8 percent reported spending a minimum of four days in the southeastern port city, a share that municipal officials say underscores the city’s growing appeal as a place worthy of extended exploration rather than a brief transit point.

By spending category, transportation and fuel costs accounted for the largest share at $364, followed by lodging at $256, shopping at $227 and food and beverages at $209.

The average travel party numbered 2.8 people, with 61.7 percent of visitors traveling with friends or partners.

Among accommodation choices, 62 percent stayed at two- or three-star hotels, followed by shared lodging such as Airbnb at 23.4 percent, and four- or five-star hotels at 17 percent, with guesthouses and hostels at 10.8 percent.

The most visited site was Gwangalli Beach, cited by 58.5 percent of respondents, with Busan International Film Festival Square and Gamcheon Culture Village close behind at 55.5 percent and 55.2 percent.

By country of origin, 64 percent of U.S. visitors went to Gwangalli Beach, while 44.3 percent of Chinese tourists visited Jagalchi Market, the city’s largest seafood market, reflecting strong preference for those destinations.

Natural scenery topped the list of reasons for visiting Korea's second-largest city at 81.7 percent, followed closely by food and local cuisine at 81.3 percent. Meanwhile, 84.8 percent of respondents said they would like to visit the city again.