Seoul Welcomes New Record 1.56 Million Foreign Tourists in April 2026, Card Spending Hits More than One Trillion KRW, Boosting Shopping, Medical Tourism and Travel Demand

Written By: Gishan Das

Gishan Das

Gishan Das is a dedicated graduate with academic backgrounds in History and Political Science and practical experience in journalism and digital content creation. He completed his History Honours from Serampore College under the University of Calcutta and Political Science Honours from Indira Gandhi National Open University in 2025. His academic credentials are supported by professional certifications including a B2 level Certification in French language, NISM Financial Education certification in collaboration with the Aditya Birla Group alongside Gishan has strong expertise in journalism, news research and SEO-based content writing. He has demonstrated skills in news analysis, fact-checking, headline creation, digital storytelling and search-optimized reporting, which are also reflected in the journalism and media skills

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May 31, 2026 10:29 GMT+5:30

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In April 2026, Seoul achieved a remarkable feat by welcoming 1.56 million tourists, making it the highest-ever April figure for the country. This is an 18.8% rise compared to April 2025 and depicts significant progress towards the revival of the tourism industry in the capital. During the first four months of the year, a total of 5.2 million tourists visited the city.

Visitor Demographics Highlight Regional Markets

Chinese tourists remained the largest group, with 440,000 arrivals, followed by Japanese (230,000), Taiwanese (150,000), and American (130,000) visitors. The prominence of regional markets emphasizes the importance of targeting niche visitor segments, including business, shopping, and medical tourists, for continued tourism expansion.

Record Card Spending Indicates Economic Impact

Foreign visitors in Seoul spent 1.1532 trillion KRW in April, a 50.5% increase year-on-year, marking the first time monthly card spending exceeded 1 trillion KRW. This increase reflects not only higher visitor numbers but also stronger engagement in high-value sectors:

• Shopping malls: 245.2 billion KRW (+62.5%)
• Medical tourism: 192.1 billion KRW (+59.2%)

The data highlights shopping and medical tourism as significant contributors to the local economy, providing both revenue for businesses and employment opportunities.

District-Level Tourism Activity

By district, Gangnam led in spending with 29.1%, followed by Jung District (27.5%), home to Myeongdong, and Mapo District (7.4%), including Hongdae Street. Officials noted that shopping activity concentrated in Myeongdong and Jamsil, while medical tourism focused around Gangnam Station and Shin Nonhyeon Station, reflecting strategic locations for specialized services and retail experiences.

May Holidays Expected to Boost Tourism Further

The Seoul Metropolitan Government anticipates further growth in May, driven by Japan’s Golden Week and China’s Labor Day holidays. Between April 29 and May 6, 108,000 Chinese and 112,000 Japanese tourists visited Korea, a 30.7% increase from the same period last year, with card spending totaling 437.6 billion KRW. These figures indicate robust seasonal demand and forecast continued growth in visitor numbers and economic contribution.

Driving Future Tourism Growth

Seoul’s record tourism performance demonstrates the city’s potential for sustained future growth. Authorities are focusing on:

• Expanding multilingual services and signage to improve accessibility for international travelers.
• Enhancing payment systems to facilitate seamless transactions.
• Promoting niche sectors such as medical tourism, K-beauty shopping, and cultural tourism.

These initiatives aim to increase visitor satisfaction, lengthen stays, and boost spending, supporting both the hospitality sector and local retail economy. The trends reflect Seoul’s expanding role in regional tourism markets and its potential for continued economic contribution from international visitors.

Medical Tourism as a Growth Sector

Medical tourism is emerging as a key driver of Seoul’s future tourism development. With spending up 59.2% in April, the sector attracts visitors seeking specialized healthcare, wellness, and recovery services. Strategic clusters around Gangnam facilitate efficient access to clinics and hospitals, positioning Seoul as a regional hub for medical tourism while complementing traditional leisure and shopping tourism.

Enhancing Tourist Convenience

To support growing numbers, Seoul plans to expand multilingual services and improve payment systems, enhancing convenience for international travelers. These initiatives aim to boost visitor satisfaction, extend stay duration, and encourage repeat visits, further strengthening Seoul’s position as a leading destination for shopping, medical, and cultural tourism.

Implications for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry

High tourist numbers and spending support the expansion of hotels, restaurants, transport services, and retail outlets, reinforcing Seoul’s tourism infrastructure. By catering to shopping, medical, and cultural tourists, the city diversifies revenue streams, enhances visitor experiences, and strengthens its position in the competitive East Asian tourism market.

Seoul’s Tourism Growth Outlook

Seoul will experience an historic month in April 2026 as record figures for the number of tourists and their spending are anticipated. With the excellent performance in shopping and medical tourism, along with holiday seasons ahead, the trend of growing number of tourists will continue in the coming months. With its emphasis on improving services, accessibility and effective marketing campaigns, Seoul is sure to remain a top choice for visitors from all around the world.