1.46 Million Foreign Tourists Visited Korea Last Month... 64.6% Increase

China Records the Highest Number of Visitors at 411,000

The number of foreign tourists visiting Korea last month was recorded at 1.46 million. According to the Korea Tourism Organization on the 30th, this is a 64.6% increase compared to the same period last year. It has recovered to 89.5% of the level during the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreign visitors are enjoying sightseeing and shopping on the 3rd in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, where the spring welcome event for 'Seoul Welcome Week 2024' was held. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

By country, China had the highest number with 411,000 visitors. This was followed by Japan (229,000), the United States (123,000), Taiwan (118,000), and Vietnam (53,000).

The United States and Taiwan increased by 19.7% and 4.0%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2019. China recovered to 83%, and Japan to 79% of their 2019 levels.

The cumulative number of visitors to Korea from January to April this year was 4.87 million, an 86.9% increase compared to the same period last year. This is 88.8% of the level during the same period in 2019.

China had the highest number with 1.43 million visitors, followed by Japan (900,000), Taiwan (420,000), the United States (370,000), and Vietnam (160,000).

Conversely, the number of Korean nationals who traveled abroad last month was 2.11 million, a 41.0% increase compared to the same period last year. This is 94% of the level during the same period in 2019.

The cumulative number from January to April this year was 9.54 million, which is also 94% of the level during the same period in 2019.