Foreign Tourists' Spending in Seoul Exceeds 8.8 Trillion Won in 9 Months, Record High
![[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Lee Young-hwan = Foreign tourists move through Myeongdong in Jung-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 12th. According to the Korea Tourism Organization on this day, approximately 10.71 million foreign tourists visited Korea in the first half of this year, an increase of 21% or more compared to the same period last year. As their domestic consumption also grows rapidly, major distribution channels from department stores to convenience stores are enjoying tourism boom. From January to July this year, foreign tourists'](https://www.suwonilbo.kr/img/write/pa19345c113f55813db692b490bdf9939250fd03a.jpg)
From January to September this year, foreign tourists' card spending in Seoul surpassed 8.8 trillion won, setting a record high. This reflects both a significant increase in the number of foreign visitors and an expansion of consumption venues beyond traditional tourist destinations like Myeongdong and Gangnam to Seongsu-dong, alley commerce areas, traditional markets, and Han River Park.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 3rd, foreign tourists' card spending from January to September this year totaled 8.8435 trillion won, a 57.7% increase compared to the same period last year. This surpasses the entire annual consumption of last year (7.9375 trillion won) by more than 900 billion won in just 9 months.
14.14 Million Foreign Visitors to Seoul...Record High Exceeding Pre-COVID-19 Levels
During the same period, 13.14 million foreign tourists visited Seoul. This is a 21.5% increase compared to the same period last year, and a record high representing a 27.9% increase compared to the same period in 2019 before COVID-19 (10.27 million visitors).
By nationality, Chinese tourists were the largest group at 4.2 million (32.0%). Followed by Japan (2.4 million, 18.2%), Taiwan (1.43 million, 10.9%), the United States (930,000, 7.1%), and Hong Kong (420,000, 3.2%). Three Asian nations—China, Japan, and Taiwan—accounted for 61.1% of total visitors.
Gangnam, Jung-gu, Mapo Concentrate Consumption...Seongdong, Gangdong, Guro Double Spending
By district, Gangnam-gu showed the highest consumption share at 29.6%, followed by Jung-gu (27.7%) and Mapo-gu (7.1%). These three districts accounted for 64.4% of total spending. Seocho-gu (6.4%), Seongdong-gu, and Jongno-gu (each 5.2%) also ranked high.
Compared to the same period last year, spending increases were largest in Jung-gu (approximately 920 billion won, up 60.2%) and Gangnam-gu (approximately 880 billion won, up 51.1%). Seongdong-gu experienced a surge in card spending of 102.8%, with its share jumping from 3.9% to 5.2%. Foreign spending in outlying districts including Gangdong-gu (up 128.4%), Guro-gu (up 103.4%), and Dongdaemun-gu (up 103.4%) also more than doubled.
Seongsu-dong Spending 263.8 Billion Won Doubles...Alley Commerce and Traditional Markets Thriving
Foreign tourism spending is rapidly shifting beyond major commercial areas to alley commerce and traditional markets. Card spending at 10 major Seoul tourist destinations (Myeongdong area, Apgujeong, Gangnam Station, Hongdae entrance, COEX, Cheongdam-dong, Seongsu, Lotte World Tower, Sinsa Tree-lined Street, The Hyundai Yeouido) reached 5.3159 trillion won, a 57.2% increase.
Among these, Seongsu-dong spending reached 263.8 billion won, representing a 100.6% increase compared to the same period last year, doubling the consumption scale.
By commercial area type, alley commerce card spending increased 80.5% from 170.7 billion won last year to 308.2 billion won this year, significantly exceeding the growth rates of developed commercial areas (up 55.1%, 6.2966 trillion won) and traditional markets (up 48.8%, 228.2 billion won). Among traditional markets, Gwangjang Market spending increased 113.4%, while Namdaemun Market (up 65.6%) and Geumcheon Bridge Market, home to Sejong Village Food Culture Street (up 60.8%), showed steep increases.
Foreign Visitors to Han River Park Up 41.7%...Yeouido, Banpo, Mangwon Preferred
The number of foreign visitors to Han River Park has also increased significantly. From January to September, foreign visitors to Han River Park increased 41.7% compared to the same period last year, 4.7 times the overall Han River Park visitor growth rate (8.9%).
By park location, Yeouido (up 42.7%), Banpo (up 37.4%), and Mangwon (up 39.2%) attracted the most visitors, with these three Han River Parks accounting for 67.5% of all foreign park users.
Cho Sung-ho, Director of the Seoul Tourism and Sports Bureau, stated, "The increase in tourists is translating into increased sales for small merchants, bringing vitality to the regional economy overall. As tourism spending expands beyond Myeongdong and Gangnam to alley commerce and traditional markets, we will support the economic ripple effects of tourism spreading evenly across all of Seoul."
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