Seoul Foreign Tourists Up 21.6%, Card Spending Up 59.9%

As of October 6, 2026, Seoul city data shows about 11.6 million foreign tourists visited the city from January through August, up 21.6% from a year earlier. Their card spending jumped 59.9% to about 7.8 trillion won (roughly $5.6 billion), nearly matching last year's full-year total.

About 11.6 millionForeign visitors to Seoul, January-August

59.9%Growth in foreign card spending, January-August

66.4%Combined share of China, Japan and Taiwan among August visitors

240.1%Growth in foreign card spending near Dosan Park

Key points

About 11.6 million foreign visitors came to Seoul from January to August, up 21.6% from the same period last year.
About 1.72 million visited in August alone, and China, Japan and Taiwan together made up 66.4% of them.
Foreign card spending from January to August rose 59.9%, close to last year's full-year total.
Spending jumped not only in Seongsu and Myeong-dong but also in neighborhood shopping districts and traditional markets, including the area near Dosan Park and Gwangjang Market.

In tourism figures released Tuesday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said about 11.6 million foreigners visited the city from January to August. That's up 21.6% from about 9.5 million in the same period last year, and the city called it the highest figure on record. August alone brought about 1.72 million visitors, 23.3% more than the roughly 1.4 million of August last year.

By nationality, China, Japan and Taiwan accounted for 66.4% of August's foreign visitors, about two-thirds of the total. China led at 36.9%, followed by Japan at 18.6% and Taiwan at 10.9%. In headcount terms, that's roughly 640,000 from China, 320,000 from Japan and 190,000 from Taiwan.

Spending grew even faster than visitor numbers. Foreign card spending from January to August came to about 7.8 trillion won, up 59.9% from about 4.9 trillion won a year earlier. Last year's full-year total was about 7.9 trillion won, so visitors have spent nearly a full year's worth in just eight months.

By category, shopping made up the biggest share last year at 46.6%, followed by medical and wellness tourism. This year, spending at large shopping malls led the growth, up 77.5%, while medical tourism and general dining both rose by around 60%. The map of where visitors spend has widened too. Foreign spending in the Seongsu area more than doubled from a year earlier (up 103.7%), and Myeong-dong rose 74.7%. The area near Dosan Park saw an especially big jump of 240.1%, and Gwangjang Market was up 127.4%.

Cho Seong-ho, director of the city's Tourism and Sports Bureau, said record visitor numbers and fast-growing tourism spending are boosting the economic impact. The city plans to build on its nighttime economy by linking after-dark content with local shopping districts, so visitors stay longer and spending spreads across Seoul. Detailed statistics are available on the Seoul Data Hub website.

In Korea right nowIn Korea, the attention is less on how many tourists came than on where their money is going. The key takeaway from the data is that foreign spending has spread beyond shopping malls and traditional hubs like Myeong-dong to Seongsu, the Dosan Park area and traditional markets. The city says it will carry that momentum into policies linking the nighttime economy with neighborhood shopping districts.

FAQ

How much did the number of foreign visitors to Seoul grow this year?

About 11.6 million came from January to August, up 21.6% from the same period last year. August alone saw about 1.72 million visitors, a 23.3% increase.

Which country sent the most tourists?

China led in August at 36.9% of the total, followed by Japan at 18.6% and Taiwan at 10.9%. Together the three made up 66.4%.

Where did foreign tourists spend their money?

Shopping made up the biggest share last year. This year, spending at large malls rose sharply, and neighborhood shopping districts and traditional markets, including Seongsu, Myeong-dong, the area near Dosan Park and Gwangjang Market, also posted big gains.