Foreign tourist spending in South Korea reached 1.17 percent of gross domestic product in 2025, driven by a sustained surge in inbound travel, according to a new report from the Bank of Korea.
The central bank’s data highlights the expanding economic footprint of the tourism sector, which has become a critical pillar for the country’s growth strategy amid broader macroeconomic headwinds.
The rise in visitor numbers has translated directly into higher consumption, boosting service industries and retail sales across major urban centers.
This development comes as global travel patterns continue to normalize post-pandemic, with Asian markets seeing particularly strong recovery in cross-border mobility.
For South Korea, the increasing share of GDP attributed to foreign spending signals a structural shift in the economy’s composition, reducing reliance on traditional manufacturing exports.
Investors are watching how this trend influences domestic inflation dynamics and currency flows, as higher inbound spending can support the won and stimulate local demand.