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[Yanolja Research Insights] Vol.36 Rebalancing South Korea’s Tourism Flows: From Deficit to Domestic Growth

Rebalancing Korea’s Tourism Flows: Why the Structure Matters Korea’s tourism market is entering an era of mass mobility. Inbound travel is growing. Outbound travel is growing even faster. The result is not just more movement—but a persistent imbalance that continues to drain value from the domestic economy. This challenge is structural, not temporary. Record Mobility, Persistent Imbalance Cross-border travel is reaching historic highs. Yet the gap between inbound and outbound travel remains firmly in place. Key signals to note: Outbound travel consistently exceeds inbound arrivals The gap remains close to 10 million travelers Tourism spending abroad significantly outweighs spending by foreign visitors in Korea The tourism balance has reached a record-level deficit This indicates that growth in visitor numbers alone does not correct the problem. Why Travelers Keep Choosing Overseas Destinations The imbalance is driven by rational consumer behavior. What shapes tr...
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[Yanolja Research Insights] Vol.35 Forecasting South Korea’s Inbound and Outbound Tourism Demand in 2026

South Korea’s Tourism Outlook for 2026: What Lies Ahead? The global tourism market is entering a new phase. Not just recovery—but structural change. In 2026, Korea’s tourism landscape is expected to be shaped by uncertainty, shifting geopolitics, and changing travel behavior. Data-driven forecasting points to both new opportunities and emerging risks for inbound and outbound travel. Here are the key takeaways you need to know . How the Outlook Was Built: Forecasting Methodology Tourism demand in 2026 is influenced by overlapping shocks rather than stable cycles. To reflect this reality, the outlook is built on a forecasting framework designed to capture complexity and structural change. Core approach A deep-learning time-series model capable of learning long-term trends and short-term disruptions simultaneously Integration of multidimensional variables , including: Macroeconomic indicators such as income levels and inflation Exchange rates and travel price competitiven...
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[Yanolja Research Insights] Vol.34 Korea’s Top 500 Tourist Destinations: The 2025 Tourism Landscape through Traveler Sentiment Analysis

From “Famous” to “Beloved”: How Korea’s Tourism Landscape Is Changing in 2025 Korea’s tourism scene is entering a new phase. Growth is no longer defined by how many people visit , but by how deeply destinations resonate with travelers . An extensive analysis of traveler sentiment across digital platforms reveals a clear shift: today’s most competitive destinations are not just well-known—they are emotionally engaging, highly shareable, and genuinely memorable. Below are the key takeaways shaping Korea’s tourism outlook in 2025.
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[Yanolja Research Insights Vol. 32] Korea, the Close Yet Distant Destination: Why Domestic Travel Lost Its Spark?

Why Are Koreans Choosing Overseas Travel? The Real Reasons Behind the Shift For Koreans, travel is no longer an occasional special event — it has become deeply ingrained as part of everyday life . Yet recent patterns reveal a structural shift in travel spending , moving decisively from domestic trips toward overseas destinations. This shift is not just a challenge for the tourism sector; it has become a critical national economic issue that requires strategic attention. In this issue, we explore: ✅ The psychological motivations driving Koreans toward overseas travel ✅ The fundamental reasons domestic trips are undervalued As the pent-up demand following the COVID-19 pandemic was unleashed, the number of outbound travelers reached 28.68 million in 2024 , fully returning to pre-pandemic levels. With 14.56 million departures recorded in the first half of 2025 alone , the annual figure is almost certain to hit a new record. But this massive trend came with a clear economic consequence:...
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[Yanolja Research Insights] Vol.33 Korea Medical Tourism: Current Status and Strategies for Qualitative Growth

Korea Medical Tourism Enters a New Growth Phase Korea’s medical tourism market has moved beyond recovery. It is now entering a new phase defined by scale, value, and sustainability . In 2024, foreign patient arrivals reached an all-time high. This growth signals more than a rebound—it reflects a structural shift in global demand and Korea’s rising competitiveness as a medical tourism hub. Why Medical Tourism Matters More Than Ever Medical tourism is becoming a core driver of high-value tourism growth. Unlike short, one-time visits, medical travel naturally extends stays and increases overall spending. It also encourages repeat visits and long-term loyalty. Key advantages include: Longer visitor stays through treatment, recovery, and follow-up Higher spending on accommodation, shopping, and experiences Strong revisit rates driven by trust and satisfaction As general tourism spending slows, medical tourism offers a clear path to qualitative growth. Global Demand Is Re...
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[Yanolja Research Insight Vol. 31] Beyond the Ballpark: Baseball is Powering South Koreas'

Baseball Tourism: When 12 Million Fans Become a New Engine for Regional Travel In 2025, Korea’s professional baseball league celebrated a historic milestone — for the first time in its 44-year history, it welcomed 12 million spectators in a single season . This achievement goes far beyond record-breaking attendance. It represents a massive population movement of over 12 million people traveling across the country, centered around their hometown teams and stadiums. With ten franchises located across the country in eight different cities, Korean baseball has evolved into more than a sport — it’s now emerging as a powerful tourism asset , driving local visitation and on-site spending. In this issue of Yanolja Research Insight Vol.31 , we explore: ✅ How professional baseball is becoming a new engine for regional tourism ✅ Travel behaviors of metropolitan fans visiting regional stadiums ✅ Global best practices and key takeaways for sports-driven tourism   Baseball as a Key to Unlo...
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[Yanolja Research Insights] Vol. 32 Motivations for Overseas Travel and Strategies for Revitalizing Domestic Tourism in Korea

Why More Koreans Are Traveling Abroad — And What It Means for Domestic Tourism Travel has become a natural part of everyday life for Koreans. But where people choose to travel is changing fast. Recent trends show a strong and growing preference for overseas trips, reshaping travel spending patterns and creating new challenges — and opportunities — for domestic tourism. Let's look at the  key takeaways ! A Clear Shift Toward Overseas Travel Outbound travel has fully rebounded and continues to surge. Overseas trips have returned to — and are set to exceed — pre-pandemic levels Travel spending abroad has expanded rapidly Inbound tourism recovery remains slower, widening the imbalance What this means: A significant share of travel demand — and spending — is flowing out of the domestic market. A Generational Divide That Can’t Be Ignored Travel preferences differ sharply by age group. Younger generations strongly favor overseas travel Middle-aged and older traveler...
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