SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Foreign tourist arrivals to South Korea rose to a record high in the first quarter, as global demand for Korean cultural content from highly anticipated K-pop supergroup BTS' return to digital hits like K-pop Demon Hunters continued to drive travel interest, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday.
Inbound visitors reached 4.76 million in the January–March period, up 23 percent from a year earlier, with March alone setting a monthly record of 2.06 million, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The growth was broad-based across key markets. Chinese tourists led with 1.45 million arrivals, followed by Japan at 940,000 and Taiwan at 540,000, the latter posting the fastest growth rate at 37.7 percent.
Long-haul travel also gained traction, with visitors from the United States and Europe reaching a combined 690,000, signaling continued diversification of inbound demand.
Beyond volume, indicators pointed to improving tourism quality. Cruise traffic rose 52.9 percent on-year to 338 port calls, while arrivals through regional airports surged 49.7 percent, reflecting increased travel beyond major gateways.
Spending by foreign visitors climbed 23 percent to 3.21 trillion won, while overall travel satisfaction reached 90.8 points, suggesting stronger consumption and visitor experience.
The ministry attributed the growth to the global appeal of K-culture and coordinated efforts between public and private sectors.
Kang Jung-won, director general for tourism policy, said Korea is solidifying its position as a global tourism destination, but warned of potential headwinds from rising airfares linked to higher oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty.
"We will proactively respond to external risks to sustain the growth of inbound tourism," Kang said.
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