Busan sees surge in international tourism as foreign visitors hit 2.9 million

Busan is experiencing a significant surge in international tourism, with foreign visitor numbers reaching approximately 2.93 million between January and July, a 46.1% increase compared to the previous year. This growth has allowed the city to reach its annual target of 3 million visitors two months earlier than expected.

Taiwanese tourists have become a major demographic, totaling over 605,000 visitors. This trend is fueled by increased flight frequencies and a phenomenon locally referred to as ‘Busan disease,’ describing the desire of Taiwanese travelers to revisit the city. Other significant visitor groups include travelers from China and a notable 78.4% increase in tourists from the United States.

Data from Gimhae International Airport indicates that 98.1% of foreign arrivals via the airport remain in the Busan or Southeast region rather than traveling to the Seoul metropolitan area. This influx has boosted the local economy, with foreign credit card spending in Busan rising by 50.8% year-on-year to 742.3 billion won, ranking second in South Korea behind Seoul.