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[YARI Data Snapshot] Inbound Travel Nearly Catches Up with Outbound in August

South Korea’s inbound and outbound travel gap narrowed sharply in August. 🇰🇷✈️


Foreign arrivals reached 2.25 million, just below the 2.43 million Koreans traveling abroad. That marks a notable shift from the beginning of the year, when outbound travel was still far ahead.

China was the largest source market in August, accounting for 36.9% of foreign arrivals, followed by Japan (18.6%), Taiwan (10.9%), and the U.S. (5.2%).


The broader trend is also gaining momentum. Yanolja Research forecasts 23.57 million foreign visitors to South Korea in 2026, up 24.5% from 2025, with growth spreading beyond China to Japan, Taiwan, the U.S., and other markets.

The key question now is how Korea can turn this growing inbound demand into higher spending, more regional travel, and repeat visits.


🔎 Read Yanolja Research Brief Vol.17 to explore what is driving Korea’s inbound growth and what could shape the rest of 2026.

[Yanolja Research Brief Vol.17] Forecast of Inbound Tourist Arrivals to South Korea in 2026

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Location: Seoul, South Korea

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