SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea achieved a tourism surplus of $596.6 million in June 2026, marking its most robust monthly performance since the COVID-19 outbreak. This represents a $1.44 billion rise compared to June 2025, when the tourism balance was at an $846.8 million deficit. According to Korea Tourism Organization data, June’s result ranks as the second-highest monthly tourism surplus ever recorded, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
The tourism account had been in deficit for 72 consecutive months from March 2020 until February 2026. In January, the deficit hit $1.4034 billion, followed by February’s $1.0993 billion shortfall. The balance turned positive in March with a $263.8 million surplus, continuing its upward trend into April at $159.9 million and into May at $220.5 million, culminating in the June recovery.
Tourism revenue in June reached $2.784 billion, while expenditures totaled $2.1874 billion. Foreign visitors spent an average of $1,397 per person during the month, whereas outbound South Korean travelers spent an average of $1,091 each. The difference between income from tourism and spending produced a fourth consecutive monthly surplus, signaling a stark turnaround from the deficits early in 2026.
Inbound tourist numbers surge significantly in June
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that South Korea hosted 1,993,128 international visitors in June, a 23.1% increase compared to the previous year. China continued to be the primary source market with 649,582 visitors, reflecting a 36.2% rise from June 2025. Japan followed with 348,216 arrivals, up 21.3%. Taiwan accounted for 223,127 visitors, with arrivals from the Americas reaching 219,948 and Europe contributing 119,445.
Total international arrivals in the first half of 2026 reached 10,709,919, a 21% rise from the same period last year. During this period, foreign tourists’ credit card spending hit 10.0389 trillion won, a 50.8% increase. Specifically, June alone saw 2.0544 trillion won spent via card, up 66.4% year over year. Additionally, the Korea Tourism Organization reported 395,246 international arrivals via regional airports in June, reflecting a 42.5% increase.
Tourism expenditure grows alongside visitor numbers
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also highlighted increased spending from regions outside Korea’s main Asian markets. Arrivals from the Americas totaled 1,077,287 during the first half of 2026, representing a 12.7% growth year over year. European arrivals reached 738,943, up 20.2%, while other long-distance markets also saw gains. The United States contributed 811,974 visitors through June, increasing by 11.1%, and Canada added 157,003, a rise of 17.1%.
The positive trend in June’s tourism balance follows three years of annual deficits exceeding $10 billion, with deficits totaling $10.38 billion in 2023, $10.21 billion in 2024, and $10.76 billion in 2025. By June 2026, the monthly tourism balance had maintained a surplus for four straight months. June’s receipts surpassed expenditures by $596.6 million, marking South Korea’s largest monthly tourism surplus since the pandemic and its second-highest ever recorded.