Yanolja Research

How affordable is it to get around Seoul by taxi? 🚕 A 10 km taxi ride in Seoul costs just $8.65—about one-quarter of the fare in Tokyo ($34.65) and far below London ($39.03) and Berlin ($36.53). Affordable mobility is an important part of a destination’s tourism price competitiveness. Lower transportation costs reduce the cost burden of exploring a city and allow travelers to move more freely between attractions, restaurants, shopping areas, and local neighborhoods. Seoul’s advantage extends beyond taxis. Together with affordable public transportation, Korea offers globally competitive urban mobility costs, strengthening its overall value for international travelers. Want to know more about Korea’s tourism price competitiveness? [Yanolja Research Insights Vol.40] Analysis of Price Competitiveness of Korean Tourist Cities: An International Comparison

Foreign medical spending in South Korea is rising at an unprecedented pace. In H1 2026, medical expenditure by foreign visitors reached KRW 1.19 trillion—6.6 times the level recorded in H1 2019 and up 59.1% year-over-year. With longer stays and higher spending per visitor, medical tourism is emerging as a key driver of high-value tourism in Korea and contributing to higher per capita tourism spending. Want to know more about Korea’s inbound and outbound tourism trends in H1 2026? Read Yanolja Research BRIEF Vol.14 for the full analysis. [Yanolja Research Brief Vol.14] Analysis of Korea's Inbound and Outbound Tourism Performance for H1 2026