All You Need to Know about South Korea Tourism Statistics 2023 (Part.1)

The remarkable rise to international stardom of KPOP and K-Dramas have undeniably elevated the prestige and fascination the world already previously had for South Korea. Whether you are flying over the Pacific or across the whole of Europe, planning a trip to South Korea can be Herculean, with or without the barrage of questions about the country’s language barriers, safety, and transportation.

 

If you are stuck in a black hole of K-culture tabs and unverifiable information, fear not, as GoWithGuide has done the research for you. If you plan on doing some Seoul-searching, hoping to catch a train to Busan, or hungry to see some history right at the DMZ, our local guides can help you devise the perfect South Korea itinerary for you. Before you start packing your bags, read up on all you need to know about South Korea.

 

All You Need to Know about South Korea Tourism Statistics 2023 (Part.1)

 

1. South Korea’s Top 10 Tourism Statistics

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Surrounded by the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east, South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, finds itself nestled in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. Together with its adjacent islands, the country is home to over 51.7 million residents with over 81% living in urban areas (think Seoul, Incheon, Busan, and Daegu). With 3,358 islands  and 99,720 sq. km ready to be discovered, the country overflows with unforgettable experiences. 

 

1) 17,503,000 people- Over 17.5 million visitors arrived in South Korea in 2019, which is 14% higher than the previous year’s numbers.

 

2) 4.16%- Travel and tourism contributed 4.16% to the overall GDP of the country in 2019.

 

3) $21,500,000,000- A record amount of 21.5 billion USD was documented in 2019 for tourist travel expenses in South Korea, averaging an expenditure of $1,230 per visitor.

 

4) 7.5 days - The average length of stay of visitors in 2017 was 7.5 days.

 

5) 47%- In 2021, 47% of tourists chose to visit South Korea to indulge in food tours.

 

6) 1.86 million tons - It’s not surprising that in 2019, 1,860,000 tons of kimchi was consumed in the country.

 

7) 13.38 million people- South Korea’s four major royal palaces were visited by a record high 12,380,000 people in 2019. Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul attracted the biggest crowds at 5.34 million visitors.

 

8) 501.5%- In December 2022, South Korea saw a jump at 501.5% increase in visitor arrivals, a great change compared to its previous month at 391%.

 

9) -25.5°- The coldest day of the 2023 winter season arrived on January 24, reaching lows of -25.5° in Cheorwon, a northern county in South Korea.

 

10) 1- BTS holds the number 1 spot in Spotify’s Top K-Pop Groups of 2022 playlist with the hit song “Permission to Dance.”

 

All You Need to Know about South Korea Tourism Statistics 2023 (Part.1)

 

2. Who Else Loves South Korea

Throughout the years, East Asian and Southeast Asian countries have topped the list of visitors to South Korea. The United States also sits highly on the list, with other European and South American countries being inaugurated into the list in the past couple of years.

 

1) China: China tops the list of highest inbound tourists by country in 2019.

2) Japan

3) Taipei

4) United States

5) Hong Kong

 

All You Need to Know about South Korea Tourism Statistics 2023 (Part.1)

 

3. Life in South Korea

Depending on where exactly you find yourself, South Korea can be a whole lot of different things. This is why for first timers, we suggest passing by one of these amazing regions.

 

All You Need to Know about South Korea Tourism Statistics 2023 (Part.1)

 

4. Safety in South Korea

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South Korea is an extremely safe country. The country finds itself sitting way up the 2022 safety index at 21, just behind Monaco and Austria and in front of Singapore and Finland. CNN has also ranked Seoul as one of the safest cities for 2019. Of course watching out for tourist traps and pickpockets is a must, just like in any country, but in general, the country is safe for travelers from anywhere in the world. 

 

Strolling with a local tour guide who speaks the language will give you the upper hand when finding the most coveted restaurants, the best deals, and the grandest views. Whilst on a private tour with a professional guide, issues related to miscommunication and language barriers are zero to none. That is one huge weight lifted off of your shoulders.

 

All You Need to Know about South Korea Tourism Statistics 2023 (Part.1)

 

Searching for accurate, factual, and up-to-date information on South Korea does not have to be as difficult as learning a full out BTS or Blackpink dance routine. In fact, it should be as trouble-free and uncomplicated as enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Land of the Morning Calm.

 

South Korea will only continue to enchant the world, so be the first to share this all-in-one guide to friends and family. They won’t thank you enough!

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