How many foreign tourists visited Seoul from January through August, and how much did they spend?

Seoul received 11.56 million foreign tourists during the January-August period. Their credit card spending reached 7.78 trillion won, or about $5.8 billion.

Which countries sent the most tourists to Seoul in August?

China was the largest source of foreign visitors in August, with 636,000 tourists, representing 36.9 percent of the total. Japan followed with 322,000 visitors, while Taiwan contributed 188,000.

What did foreign tourists spend the most money on in Seoul?

Shopping accounted for the largest share of foreign visitors’ card spending at 46.6 percent. Medical and wellness services accounted for 23.8 percent, followed by food and beverages at 13.2 percent and accommodation at 10.4 percent.

Foreign visitors to Seoul up 22% through August

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Summary

Seoul attracted a record 11.56 million foreign tourists from January through August, with visitor numbers rising 21.6 percent from a year earlier. Their credit card spending in the city increased 59.9 percent to 7.78 trillion won. In August, China, Japan and Taiwan supplied 66.4 percent of visitors, while shopping accounted for the largest share of spending.

Key Facts

August alone saw 1.72 million foreign visitors to Seoul, up 23.3 percent from 1.4 million a year earlier.
Chinese visitors topped Seoul’s August arrivals at 636,000, followed by 322,000 from Japan and 188,000 from Taiwan.
Shopping represented 46.6 percent of foreign visitors’ card spending, followed by medical and wellness services at 23.8 percent, food and beverages at 13.2 percent, and accommodation at 10.4 percent.
Foreign visitors’ spending at large shopping malls rose 77.5 percent, while spending on medical tourism and dining increased 64.2 percent and 59.5 percent, respectively.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 6, 2026 11:18 am KST

Foreign tourists walk with shopping bags along a street in Myeong-dong in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

The number of foreign visitors to Seoul in the first eight months of this year increased by about 22 percent from the same period last year, while their credit card spending in the city surged nearly 60 percent, data from the city government showed Tuesday.

Seoul attracted a record 11.56 million foreign tourists in the January-August period, up 21.6 percent from a year earlier, the government said, noting their credit card spending surged 59.9 percent on-year to 7.78 trillion won ($5.8 billion).

In August alone, 1.72 million foreigners visited the capital, up 23.3 percent from 1.4 million a year earlier, it noted.

By country, tourists from China, Japan and Taiwan accounted for 66.4 percent of foreign visitors to Seoul in August. China topped the list with 636,000 visitors (36.9 percent), followed by Japan with 322,000 (18.6 percent) and Taiwan with 188,000 (10.9 percent).

The city government said the shopping sector accounted for the largest share of foreign visitors' card spending at 46.6 percent, followed by medical and wellness sectors at 23.8 percent, food and beverage at 13.2 percent, and accommodation at 10.4 percent.

Foreigners' spending at large shopping malls in Seoul surged 77.5 percent, while their spending on medical tourism and dining rose 64.2 percent and 59.5 percent, respectively.

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