Myeong-dong Matches Gangnam and More as Seoul’s Tourism Spending Draws Global Travellers to South Korea!

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Myeong-dong matches Gangnam and more as Seoul’s tourism spending draws global travellers to South Korea. Today, Myeong-dong and Gangnam stand among the destinations shaping Seoul’s tourism story, while more attractions invite travellers to explore further. Moreover, Seoul’s tourism spending highlights changing travel choices across South Korea. Global travellers can discover shopping, food, culture, wellness and neighbourhood experiences during a Seoul journey. Meanwhile, Myeong-dong matches Gangnam through their strong international appeal and distinctive experiences. As tourism spending gains attention, more travellers are looking closely at Seoul. Therefore, Travel And Tour World urges readers to continue through the entire story. The latest figures reveal why South Korea deserves attention now.

Seoul Tourism Spending Takes Centre Stage as Myeong-dong, Seongsu, Gangnam and More Draw Record Global Visitors in 2026

Seoul tourism enters a higher-spending phase in 2026

Seoul is entering 2026 with a tourism profile that is increasingly shaped by spending, experiences and neighbourhood exploration.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government estimates that 11.56 million international tourists visited Seoul during January-August 2026. That was 21.6% higher than the 9.51 million recorded during the same period in 2025. August alone brought approximately 1.72 million foreign visitors, 23.3% more than the previous year.

The financial performance has been even stronger.

Foreign visitors generated KRW 5.6172 trillion in card spending during the first half of 2026, according to Seoul Metropolitan Government data. That was 56.8% higher year on year, compared with a 21.3% increase in visitors.

By July, cumulative foreign visitor card spending had reached KRW 6.688 trillion, representing a 58.7% annual increase.

August extended the momentum, with spending by international visitors continuing to expand across shopping, wellness, food, accommodation and local commercial areas.

Seoul tourism statistics at a glance

Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korea Tourism Organization and Seoul tourism statistics.

Myeong-dong remains Seoul’s biggest foreign visitor magnet

For travellers deciding where to begin, Myeong-dong remains the clearest starting point.

The Seoul AI Foundation analysed foreign visitor foot traffic across major Seoul destinations using mobile telecommunications data and tourism reviews.

Myeong-dong recorded the highest average daily foreign visitor foot traffic in the 2025 analysis, reaching 100,910 visitors per day.

Foreign visitors represented 47.1% of total foot traffic in the area.

That share increased by 5.6 percentage points compared with the previous year.

The district is especially relevant for travellers interested in cosmetics, Korean fashion, food and shopping.

Its position also makes it convenient for connecting several major attractions in central Seoul.

Highest foreign visitor foot traffic destinations

The figures represent foreign visitor foot traffic rather than unique annual visitors. The methodology uses mobile data and immigration information for short-term visitors.

N Seoul Tower delivers Seoul’s strongest foreign visitor concentration

N Seoul Tower and Namsan Mountain ranked second for average daily foreign visitor activity.

The destination recorded 57,370 foreign visitors per day in the 2025 analysis.

More importantly for international tourism, foreign visitors accounted for 55.7% of all visitor foot traffic.

That was the highest foreign visitor proportion among the destinations studied.

Travellers can combine the tower with Namsan’s walking routes and panoramic city views.

The destination works particularly well around sunset, although visitors should expect heavier demand around popular viewing periods.

COEX and Gangnam combine shopping, business and lifestyle travel

The Samseong Station and COEX area attracted 46,813 foreign visitors per day.

Foreign visitors represented 26.4% of overall foot traffic.

The district has a different travel character from Myeong-dong.

It combines shopping, exhibitions, dining, entertainment and business travel.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has also identified Gangnam as a major high-value tourism and medical tourism zone.

In April 2026, Gangnam-gu represented 29.1% of Seoul’s foreign visitor card spending by district, ahead of Jung-gu at 27.5%.

July data continued to place Gangnam at the top, with 29.4% of foreign visitor spending, followed by Jung-gu at 28.3%.

Districts capturing the most foreign visitor spending

This table concerns card spending by district, not attraction-level spending.

Seongsu is one of Seoul’s fastest-changing spending zones

Seongsu deserves particular attention from travellers planning a 2026 itinerary.

The area’s foreign visitor card spending increased 103.7% year on year in the January-August 2026 data.

That was one of the strongest increases among Seoul’s highlighted tourism areas.

Other major locations also recorded substantial growth.

Myeong-dong increased by 74.7%, while the IFC and The Hyundai Seoul area in Yeouido increased by 58.2%.

Apgujeong rose by 57.1%, while the Gangnam Station area increased by 53.9%.

Seoul’s fastest-growing highlighted spending areas

The figures show the strongest change in spending rather than absolute spending totals.

Seongsu, Gwangjang and Namdaemun are changing the Seoul travel map

The spending trend is particularly useful for repeat visitors.

Seongsu offers cafés, fashion, pop-up experiences and contemporary Korean lifestyle culture.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government reported a 103.7% rise in foreign card spending around Seongsu.

The area near Gyeongsu Elementary School recorded an even larger 206.6% increase.

The Seongsu café street recorded a 109.3% increase.

Near Dosan Park, foreign card spending climbed 240.1%.

Traditional markets are also benefiting.

Foreign spending at Gwangjang Market increased 127.4%, while Namdaemun Market recorded a 67.9% increase.

This gives travellers a strong reason to include both modern lifestyle districts and traditional markets in one trip.

DDP records the fastest visitor growth among major attractions

Dongdaemun Design Plaza recorded the strongest year-on-year increase among the major destinations examined by the Seoul AI Foundation.

Foreign visitor foot traffic increased 12.1%.

DDP averaged 20,871 foreign visitors per day.

Its foreign visitor share reached 19.6%.

The venue is particularly attractive for travellers interested in architecture, design, fashion, exhibitions and contemporary culture.

DDP also has a significant long-term visitor record.

Seoul Metropolitan Government reported that DDP welcomed 13.74 million visitors in 2023, following 10.51 million in 2022.

By June 16, 2024, cumulative visitors since opening had exceeded 100 million.

Traditional Seoul remains essential for first-time visitors

Travellers should not allow Seoul’s modern districts to overshadow its historic attractions.

Gyeongbokgung Palace recorded the highest average Google Maps rating among the analysed attractions, at 4.7 out of 5.

Seoul Forest recorded the highest positive sentiment ratio at 79.9%.

Bukchon Hanok Village averaged 6,191 foreign visitors per day.

Gyeongbokgung Palace recorded 4,235.

These destinations offer a completely different experience from Gangnam and Seongsu.

Recommended historic and cultural combination

Seoul’s mountains are becoming international attractions

The Seoul tourism story is no longer limited to shopping and K-culture.

Foreign visitors are increasingly exploring Seoul’s mountains.

Bukhansan recorded average foreign visitor foot traffic of 4,015 per day, while Bugaksan reached 2,169.

Gwanaksan averaged 1,192.

Achasan recorded 729 and posted the strongest increase among the hiking destinations, at 11.8%.

Foreign visitor activity at Seoul hiking destinations

For active travellers, these destinations can provide an alternative to crowded central shopping areas.

Seoul visitor numbers over five years

The recovery from the pandemic is particularly visible when the annual data is placed together.

Seoul received only 557,961 foreign visitors in 2021.

The number increased to 2.64 million in 2022.

It then accelerated to 8.86 million in 2023 and 13.14 million in 2024 under the annual series previously reported by Seoul Metropolitan Government.

The latest Seoul annual tourism report puts 2025 at 14.85 million, a new record and 6.8% above the 13.90 million recorded in 2019.

Five-year Seoul international visitor comparison

Historical figures are based on Seoul tourism statistics and the city’s annual tourism reporting methodology. The 2026 figure is a partial-year estimate and should not be compared directly with full-year totals.

What travellers should eat in Seoul

Food has become a major part of Seoul’s tourism economy.

Food and beverage spending represented 13.1% of foreign visitor card spending during January-July 2026.

Restaurant spending increased 56.4% year on year during the same period.

Travellers should build meals around several different food environments.

Gwangjang Market is suitable for Korean street food and traditional market dishes.

Myeong-dong works well for casual meals between shopping stops.

Seongsu is better suited to cafés, contemporary dining and lifestyle-focused food experiences.

Namdaemun provides another traditional market setting.

Gangnam and Apgujeong offer more contemporary dining and premium culinary experiences.

Where travellers should stay

For first-time visitors, Jung-gu and Myeong-dong offer convenient access to central attractions, shopping and traditional markets.

Travellers interested in nightlife and youth culture can consider Hongdae and Mapo.

Those seeking shopping, wellness and premium experiences can look towards Gangnam and Apgujeong.

Seongsu and Seongdong-gu are attractive for visitors who prefer contemporary neighbourhood culture.

Families and longer-stay visitors can also consider areas with easier access to parks, the Hangang River and major transport connections.

Seoul had 60,708 tourist-hotel rooms in 2024, including 10,615 luxury hotel rooms, according to Seoul Metropolitan Government data.

A practical seven-day Seoul travel plan

Day 1: Myeong-dong and Namsan

Start with Myeong-dong for shopping and Korean beauty products.

Continue towards Namsan and N Seoul Tower.

Finish with an evening city panorama.

Day 2: Royal Seoul

Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace in the morning.

Continue towards Bukchon Hanok Village.

Spend the afternoon exploring traditional streets and nearby cultural areas.

End the day around Insadong and Jongno.

Day 3: Markets and food

Begin at Gwangjang Market.

Explore traditional foods and local shopping.

Continue towards Dongdaemun.

Spend the evening around DDP.

Day 4: Hongdae and Mapo

Explore Hongdae’s creative streets during the afternoon.

Stay for cafés, music, shopping and evening entertainment.

This is also a useful day for younger travellers interested in contemporary Korean culture.

Day 5: Seongsu and Seoul Forest

Spend the morning around Seoul Forest.

Continue through Seongsu’s cafés, fashion spaces and pop-up destinations.

The area is particularly relevant in 2026 because foreign card spending has more than doubled year on year in the highlighted data.

Day 6: Gangnam and COEX

Visit COEX and the Samseong area.

Continue towards Gangnam Station and Apgujeong.

Use the evening for Korean beauty, wellness or premium dining experiences.

Day 7: Seoul’s mountains

Choose Bukhansan, Achasan, Gwanaksan or Bugaksan according to fitness level and weather.

Return to the city for a relaxed final evening.

This final day provides a useful contrast to Seoul’s shopping and commercial districts.

How Seoul’s spending pattern can help travellers plan better

The biggest lesson from the 2026 numbers is that Seoul is becoming a destination where spending follows experience.

Shopping remains the largest category at 46.4%.

However, medical and wellness tourism already represents 24.4%.

Food accounts for 13.1%, while accommodation contributes 10.7%.

That means travellers can build a balanced itinerary rather than concentrating their budget in one shopping district.

2026 spending categories

Seoul’s April data also showed large shopping-centre spending of KRW 245.2 billion, up 62.5%, while medical tourism spending reached KRW 192.1 billion, up 59.2%.

Why Seoul should be on a 2026 global travel itinerary

Seoul’s latest tourism data reveals a city with several tourism economies operating simultaneously.

Myeong-dong continues to attract enormous foreign visitor traffic.

Gangnam dominates district-level spending.

Seongsu is attracting rapidly increasing expenditure.

Gwangjang and Namdaemun show the strength of traditional markets.

DDP is gaining international attention through design and culture.

Namsan attracts an exceptionally high proportion of foreign visitors.

Meanwhile, Seoul’s mountains are bringing outdoor experiences into the international tourism mix.

The city’s tourism recovery has therefore moved beyond simply restoring visitor numbers.

The 14.85 million international visitors recorded in 2025 already exceeded the city’s pre-pandemic annual benchmark.

By August 2026, another 11.56 million international visitors had already been estimated.

For global travellers, the strongest strategy is consequently not to treat Seoul as one destination.

It is better understood as a collection of interconnected travel experiences.

A visitor can shop in Myeong-dong, eat at Gwangjang Market, explore royal heritage in Jongno, experience contemporary culture in Seongsu, enjoy Gangnam’s premium lifestyle and finish with a mountain hike.

That combination explains why Seoul’s tourism spending is growing across such a wide range of districts.

It also gives international visitors a practical reason to stay longer and explore beyond the city’s most famous landmarks.

Conclusion

Myeong-dong matches Gangnam and more as Seoul’s tourism spending continues to shape South Korea’s global travel appeal. Together, these destinations offer international visitors an exciting mix of shopping, dining, culture, wellness and entertainment. Myeong-dong brings vibrant shopping streets, while Gangnam delivers premium experiences and modern city energy. Meanwhile, Seongsu, Hongdae, Gwangjang Market, Namsan and historic attractions add more reasons to explore beyond the familiar tourist routes. As Seoul welcomes more global travellers, its diverse neighbourhoods are becoming essential parts of the journey. For anyone planning South Korea travel, Seoul offers an experience that can be both exciting and deeply memorable.