◆ Q1 visitors hit 4.74 million; Chinese tourists lead at 1.42 million
According to Korea Tourism Organization statistics, cumulative inbound visitors from January to March totaled 4.74 million, up 22.6% from a year earlier. The figure represents a 123.4% recovery compared with the same period in 2019, exceeding pre-pandemic demand.
China ranked first in visitor numbers, with 1.42 million arrivals in the quarter. Japan followed with 940,000, then Taiwan with 540,000, the United States with 310,000 and the Philippines with 150,000.
◆ March alone jumps to 2.05 million; sharp growth in the Americas and Southeast Asia
The monthly rise was steeper in March, when arrivals reached 2,045,992, up 26.7% from 1,614,596 a year earlier. That was 133.2% of the March 2019 level.
By country in March, China led with 501,000 visitors, followed by Japan with 482,000, Taiwan with 192,000, the United States with 152,000 and Vietnam with 75,000. Compared with March 2019, China and Japan reached 102.8% and 128.4%, respectively. Taiwan (195.0%), the United States (180.9%) and Vietnam (159.3%) were near double their pre-pandemic levels.
By region, the Asia-Middle East market recovered to 141.2% of 2019 levels, while Europe and the Americas reached 169.2%, pointing to broad-based growth beyond Asia.
◆ Q1 outbound Koreans total 8.33 million; market recovers to 106%
Outbound travel by South Koreans also climbed. From January to March, the number of Korean overseas travelers totaled 8.33 million, or 105.9% of the first quarter of 2019, indicating a full return to pre-pandemic activity.
In March alone, outbound travelers totaled 2,293,716, up 4.4% from 2,197,971 a year earlier and recovering to 98.3% of the March 2019 level.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.