China, Japan and More Countries Drive South Korea’s Daegu Tourism Growth Through Culture, Food and Medical Travel: What You Need to Know

Image generated with Ai

China, Japan and more countries drive South Korea’s Daegu tourism growth through culture, food and medical travel as international interest continues rising. Daegu tourism growth is supported by its unique combination of Korean traditions, local cuisine, medical services and cultural attractions. China, Japan and more countries contribute to the city’s global visitor appeal, while Daegu strengthens its tourism strategy through data analysis. The reason behind this growth is the city’s diverse tourism offering, including Seomun Market, festivals, Korean medicine experiences and nature attractions. Daegu continues developing as an important South Korea destination for international and domestic travellers.

Daegu Tourism Visitor Trends Show Recovery From 2020 Downturn Through 2025 Growth

Daegu’s tourism sector has experienced major changes in visitor patterns between 2018 and 2026, with official tourism trend data showing a sharp decline during the pandemic period followed by a steady recovery. The city’s tourism performance has been supported mainly by domestic visitors, while foreign visitor numbers have gradually improved as international travel demand returned.

The yearly comparison shows that Daegu reached its strongest tourism performance in recent years during 2024 and 2025, when total visitors approached 12 million. The trend highlights the importance of domestic tourism recovery and the gradual return of international travellers.

Daegu’s tourism sector has shown a strong recovery trend between 2018 and 2025, with total visitor numbers increasing after the pandemic-related decline. The city recorded approximately 10.8 million tourists in 2018 and reached nearly 11.9 million visitors in 2025. Domestic travellers remained the main driver of tourism growth, rising from around 10.1 million visitors in 2018 to approximately 11 million in 2025. Foreign visitor numbers also improved gradually, increasing from about 0.7 million in 2018 to 0.9 million in 2025. The trend highlights Daegu’s growing appeal through cultural tourism, food experiences, medical tourism and local attractions.

Daegu Attracts International Visitors From Multiple Global Markets Through Cultural, Food and Medical Tourism

Daegu has become an increasingly international tourism destination, welcoming visitors from multiple countries across Asia, North America and other global regions. According to the official Daegu Tourism Data Lab, the city analyses foreign visitor numbers by individual countries and country groups using tourism big data, including mobile data, credit card information and visitor surveys. The platform tracks international visitor movements across major attractions and provides country-level tourism analysis to support destination planning.

Daegu receives international travellers mainly from key Asian markets such as China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The city also attracts long-haul visitors from markets including the United States and European countries. These visitors travel to Daegu for cultural experiences, traditional markets, local cuisine, medical tourism, festivals and nature attractions.

The official Daegu Tourism Data Lab provides country-level foreign visitor analysis and tracks international tourism patterns across the city’s major attractions, including Seomun Market, Dongseong-ro, Daegu Shinsegae Department Store and Aquarium, Suseongmot Lake and Dongchon Recreation Area.

Daegu’s international tourism appeal is supported by its combination of traditional Korean culture, modern urban experiences and specialised tourism sectors. Visitors from overseas explore the city’s famous food markets, Korean medicine tourism facilities, cultural streets and seasonal festivals, helping strengthen Daegu’s position as a diverse tourism destination in South Korea.

The city’s tourism data system continues monitoring visitor origins, spending patterns and movement trends to support more targeted tourism strategies. The official platform analyses tourism data from 2018 onwards and provides insights into domestic and foreign visitor behaviour, helping government agencies and tourism businesses develop evidence-based plans.

Daegu Tourism Reached Record Growth Before Pandemic Disruption

Before the global travel disruption, Daegu recorded consistent tourism growth. Total visitors increased from approximately 10.8 million in 2018 to around 11 million in 2019.

Domestic travellers remained the main source of tourism activity during this period. Domestic visitors increased slightly from about 10.1 million in 2018 to approximately 10.2 million in 2019.

Foreign tourism also showed positive movement, rising from around 700,000 visitors in 2018 to about 800,000 in 2019. This indicated growing international interest in Daegu’s cultural attractions, food tourism, medical tourism and local experiences.

Tourism Numbers Declined in 2020 But Domestic Travel Supported Recovery

The biggest change appeared in 2020 when tourism activity declined sharply. Total visitors dropped to approximately 8.7 million, mainly due to reduced international mobility.

Foreign visitors experienced the largest impact, falling from around 800,000 in 2019 to approximately 200,000 in 2020. Domestic tourism also declined but remained the foundation of Daegu’s tourism sector, recording around 8.5 million visitors.

In 2021, Daegu began a gradual recovery. Total visitors increased to approximately 9.3 million, supported by domestic tourism growth. Foreign visitors also improved slightly, reaching around 300,000.

Daegu Tourism Recovery Accelerated From 2022 With Strong Domestic Demand

Tourism recovery strengthened in 2022 as total visitors reached approximately 10.5 million. Domestic visitors returned close to pre-pandemic levels, reaching around 10 million.

Foreign visitor numbers also continued improving, increasing to approximately 500,000. The recovery reflected the reopening of travel markets and renewed interest in Daegu’s cultural, culinary and medical tourism experiences.

Growth continued in 2023, with total visitors increasing to approximately 11.3 million. Domestic tourists reached around 10.6 million, while foreign visitors increased to approximately 700,000.

Daegu Tourism Reaches Highest Visitor Levels in 2024 and 2025

Daegu recorded its strongest tourism performance in the comparison period during 2024 and 2025. Total visitors reached approximately 11.8 million in 2024 and increased further to around 11.9 million in 2025.

Domestic tourism remained the largest contributor, with approximately 11 million domestic visitors in both years. Foreign visitor numbers also continued rising, reaching around 800,000 in 2024 and approximately 900,000 in 2025.

The growth reflects Daegu’s expanding appeal as a destination for cultural tourism, traditional markets, local cuisine, medical tourism and outdoor experiences.

Daegu Tourism Continues Building International and Domestic Visitor Appeal

The long-term visitor trend shows Daegu’s tourism sector moving from recovery towards stronger growth. Domestic travellers continue to provide stability, while international visitor numbers are gradually recovering.

The city’s tourism strengths, including Seomun Market, Apsan Mountain, traditional Korean medicine experiences, festivals and local food culture, continue supporting its position as an important tourism destination in South Korea.

China, Japan and more countries drive South Korea’s Daegu tourism growth because the city offers a wide range of culture, food and medical travel experiences. The reason is clear: Daegu combines traditional Korean heritage with modern tourism services and uses tourism data to improve visitor strategies. China, Japan and more countries continue supporting Daegu tourism growth as global travellers explore its markets, festivals, healthcare experiences and attractions. Through culture, food and medical travel, Daegu is strengthening its position as a diverse South Korea destination while building stronger connections with international visitors and future tourism markets.