South Korea's largest post-pandemic travel surplus

South Korea's tourism sector has achieved the largest surplus since the COVID-19 pandemic, recording a tourism balance surplus of $596.6 million in June 2026. This follows a deficit of $846.8 million in the same month of the previous year. This turnaround came after more than six years of continuous deficit, which began in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The recovery is partly attributed to the global spread of Korean culture, including K-pop music, dramas, and cuisine, which have boosted the country's tourism appeal. Revenue from the sector has risen to approximately $2.78 billion, with an average foreign tourist spending of $1,397 per person. It is advised to continue expanding tourist destinations beyond major cities to ensure sustainable growth and increased spending, while maintaining economic momentum through cultural promotion.

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