SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea reported a $596.6 million tourism surplus for June 2026, marking its strongest monthly performance since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure reflects an increase of approximately $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the country experienced an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization indicated that June ranked as the second-highest monthly tourism surplus ever recorded, with the only higher month being October 2008, when the surplus was $661.5 million.
This June surplus signifies South Korea’s fourth consecutive month of positive tourism balance after a prolonged period of deficits. From March 2020 through February 2026, the country had faced 72 months of consecutive deficits, with January 2026 posting a $1.4034 billion shortfall and February a $1.0993 billion deficit. The balance shifted into positive territory in March at $263.8 million, then remained in surplus at $159.9 million in April and $220.5 million in May.
Tourism earnings in June reached $2.784 billion, while South Korean travelers’ outbound expenditures totaled $2.1874 billion. The average expenditure per foreign visitor in the month was $1,397, whereas outbound South Korean travelers spent an average of $1,091 each. The disparity between inbound tourism income and outbound spending resulted in the $596.6 million surplus, the largest positive monthly balance in over 17 years.
Growth in International Tourist Numbers Across Key Markets
In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international visitors, which is a 23.1% increase compared to June 2025. The largest source market remained China, contributing 649,582 visitors, with arrivals from China rising 36.2% year-over-year. Japan accounted for 348,216 visitors, up 21.3%, while Taiwan brought in 223,127 visitors. The Americas delivered 219,948 visitors, and European visitors numbered 119,445 during the same month.
From January to June 2026, international arrivals totaled 10,709,919, representing an annual growth rate of 21%. During this period, foreign tourists’ credit card expenditures amounted to 10.0389 trillion won, which is a 50.8% increase compared to the first half of 2025. In June alone, card spending hit 2.0544 trillion won, demonstrating a 66.4% increase year-over-year. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization recorded 395,246 international arrivals through regional airports in June, a rise of 42.5%.
Tourism Revenue Gains as Tourist Numbers Grow
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism highlighted increased contributions from several long-haul markets during the first half of 2026. Arrivals from the Americas reached 1,077,287, reflecting a 12.7% rise from the same period last year. European visitors totaled 738,943, which is a 20.2% increase. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors, up 11.1%, while Canada added 157,003 arrivals, marking a 17.1% growth compared to the first half of 2025.
Following three years of annual tourism deficits exceeding $10 billion, South Korea’s latest monthly surplus signals a significant turnaround. In 2023, deficits stood at $10.38 billion; in 2024, they were $10.21 billion; and in 2025, the shortfall was $10.76 billion. By June 2026, the country had experienced four consecutive months of positive balances, with June’s tourism receipts surpassing outbound tourism expenditures by $596.6 million—its largest monthly surplus since the pandemic and second-largest ever.