Beyond Tourism Numbers: South Korea's Slow Burning Comeback South Korea has welcomed 10. 7 million international visitors in the first half of 2026, surpassing pre pandemic levels by a significant margin.
This achievement is all the more remarkable given that some key markets, such as Taiwan and the US, have seen visitor numbers soar by over 160 percent compared to 2019.
The surge in tourism can be attributed to several factors. The pent up demand from travelers eager to explore new destinations after years of lockdowns and travel restrictions has certainly played a role.