This year, South Korea is on the verge of surpassing 20 million foreign tourists. The influx of visitors from China and Taiwan has contributed to the growth of the tourism market, with an increase in arrivals at regional airports. However, the concentration of demand from major East Asian countries raises concerns about the impact on local stays and spending. Experts emphasize the need to evaluate not just the number of tourists but also the quality of their visits, including duration of stay and repeat visits.
61% of Visitors from China, Japan, and Taiwan; Taiwan's Growth Notable
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, from January to September this year, 17.11 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, with 10.45 million, or 61.1%, coming from China, Japan, and Taiwan. China accounted for the largest share with 5.47 million visitors, followed by Japan with 3.12 million and Taiwan with 1.86 million.
Taiwan showed remarkable growth, with a 32.4% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing China's 29.2% and Japan's 16.9%. Hong Kong tourists also increased by 18.6% to 550,000. Visitors from North America and Europe rose by 12.0% and 20.0%, respectively.
The concentration of demand from China, Japan, and Taiwan means that fluctuations in their economies, travel demand, and flight availability could significantly impact South Korea's tourism.
37% Increase in Regional Airport Arrivals; Local Stays Remain a Separate Issue
Foreign arrivals through regional airports such as Gimhae, Jeju, Cheongju, and Daegu reached 3.24 million, a 37.4% increase from the same period last year, more than double the 17.3% growth rate at airports in the capital region. When combined with 1.58 million arrivals at regional ports, the total for non-capital airports and ports reached 4.82 million, accounting for 28.2% of all arrivals. In contrast, capital region airports still received about 69% of total arrivals, with 11.79 million visitors.
However, an increase in arrivals at regional airports does not necessarily indicate growth in the local tourism industry. Tourists arriving at these airports may travel to other regions, making it difficult to assess where they are staying and spending. To accurately evaluate local tourism performance, it is essential to analyze stay duration, accommodation statistics, and spending patterns.
Transportation links between airports and tourist sites also play a crucial role. Even if tourists arrive by air, poor public transport connections or a lack of multilingual guidance can hinder their ability to explore nearby attractions. Developing travel packages that connect local cuisine, accommodations, and experiential programs is vital for extending tourist stays.
Approaching 20 Million Visitors; Stay Duration and Repeat Visits Will Define Success
There are 2.89 million foreign tourists needed to reach the 20 million mark. The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute projected in June that the total number of visitors this year could reach 22 million, a 16.2% increase from last year. As the scale of tourist arrivals grows, there are calls for a shift in how policy success is measured.
Yoon Hye-jin, a professor at Kyonggi University, stated, "The increase in visitors is positive and encouraging," but cautioned that focusing solely on the number of tourists could lead to an overemphasis on short-term visitor numbers. She argued for investment in developing content that highlights regional characteristics and improving transportation and guidance for tourists. Yoon emphasized the need to measure tourism policy success based on how long tourists stay, whether they return, and their satisfaction with spending and travel convenience.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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