Seoul - statistics & facts

What are the major industries in seoul, how expensive is living in seoul, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Population of Seoul, South Korea 1970-2022

Economically active population Seoul, South Korea 2012-2022

Gross regional product of Seoul South Korea 2005-2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Most expensive areas to live in Seoul South Korea 2023

Population density South Korea 2022, by province

Related topics

Recommended.

  • Demographics of South Korea
  • Unemployment in South Korea
  • Real estate in South Korea
  • Banking industry in South Korea
  • Tourism industry in South Korea
  • Digital Lifestyles in South Korea

Recommended statistics

  • Premium Statistic Population of Seoul, South Korea 1970-2022
  • Premium Statistic Population of Seoul South Korea 2022, by age
  • Premium Statistic Population of Seoul South Korea 2015-2022, by gender
  • Premium Statistic Population density South Korea 2022, by province
  • Premium Statistic Number of foreigners in Seoul, South Korea 2012-2022
  • Premium Statistic Number of households Seoul South Korea 2015-2022
  • Premium Statistic Multi-cultural household distribution South Korea 2022, by province

Population of Seoul, South Korea in selected years from 1970 to 2022 (in millions)

Population of Seoul South Korea 2022, by age

Population of Seoul, South Korea in 2022, by age group (in 1,000s)

Population of Seoul South Korea 2015-2022, by gender

Population of Seoul, South Korea from 2015 to 2022, by gender (in millions)

Population density in South Korea in 2022, by province (in inhabitants per square kilometer)

Number of foreigners in Seoul, South Korea 2012-2022

Number of registered foreigners in Seoul in South Korea from 2012 to 2022

Number of households Seoul South Korea 2015-2022

Number of households in Seoul, South Korea from 2015 to 2022 (in millions)

Multi-cultural household distribution South Korea 2022, by province

Distribution of multi-cultural households in South Korea in 2022, by province (in 1,000s)

  • Premium Statistic Gross regional product of Seoul South Korea 2005-2022
  • Premium Statistic Gross regional product per capita in Seoul South Korea 2011-2021
  • Premium Statistic Gross regional domestic product (GRDP) South Korea 2022, by province
  • Premium Statistic Gross regional product of Seoul South Korea 2021, by industry
  • Premium Statistic GRDP growth rate in Seoul, South Korea 2005-2022
  • Premium Statistic Consumer price inflation rate Seoul South Korea 2012-2022

Nominal gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of Seoul, South Korea from 2005 to 2022 (in trillion South Korean won)

Gross regional product per capita in Seoul South Korea 2011-2021

Gross regional domestic product (GRDP) per capita in Seoul, South Korea from 2011 to 2021 (in million South Korean won)

Gross regional domestic product (GRDP) South Korea 2022, by province

Nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of South Korea in 2022, by province (in trillion South Korean won)

Gross regional product of Seoul South Korea 2021, by industry

Real gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of Seoul, South Korea in 2021, by industry (in trillion South Korean won)

GRDP growth rate in Seoul, South Korea 2005-2022

Growth rate of the real gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of Seoul, South Korea from 2005 to 2022

Consumer price inflation rate Seoul South Korea 2012-2022

Annual consumer price inflation rate in Seoul, South Korea from 2012 to 2022

Employment & Income

  • Premium Statistic Employed population in Seoul South Korea 2012-2022
  • Basic Statistic Number of employees Seoul South Korea 2022, by industry
  • Premium Statistic Unemployed population in Seoul South Korea 2012-2022
  • Premium Statistic Employment rate in Seoul South Korea 2012-2023
  • Premium Statistic Unemployment rate in Seoul South Korea 2012-2023
  • Premium Statistic Monthly salary of employees in Seoul South Korea 2020-2023
  • Premium Statistic Household wealth in Seoul South Korea 2017-2023
  • Premium Statistic Household debt in Seoul South Korea 2017-2023

Employed population in Seoul South Korea 2012-2022

Number of people employed in Seoul, South Korea from 2012 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of employees Seoul South Korea 2022, by industry

Number of employees in Seoul in South Korea in 2022, by industry

Unemployed population in Seoul South Korea 2012-2022

Number of unemployed people in Seoul, South Korea from 2012 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Employment rate in Seoul South Korea 2012-2023

Employment rate in Seoul, South Korea from 2012 to 2023

Unemployment rate in Seoul South Korea 2012-2023

Unemployment rate in Seoul, South Korea from 2012 to 2023

Monthly salary of employees in Seoul South Korea 2020-2023

Average monthly salary of regular employees in Seoul, South Korea from 2020 to 2023 (in million South Korean won)

Household wealth in Seoul South Korea 2017-2023

Average net worth of households in Seoul, South Korea from 2017 to 2023 (in million South Korean won)

Household debt in Seoul South Korea 2017-2023

Value of debt owned by households in Seoul, South Korea from 2017 to 2023 (in million South Korean won)

Real estate

  • Premium Statistic Number of homes in Seoul South Korea 2015-2021
  • Premium Statistic Housing transactions volume Seoul, South Korea 2009-2021
  • Premium Statistic Average apartment purchase price per square meter South Korea 2023, by province
  • Premium Statistic Most expensive areas to live in Seoul South Korea 2023
  • Premium Statistic Mean purchase price of apartments in Seoul South Korea 2023, by size
  • Premium Statistic Mean jeonse price of apartments Seoul South Korea 2022, by size
  • Premium Statistic Residential property price development Seoul South Korea 2011-2022
  • Premium Statistic Jeonse price growth of residential houses Seoul South Korea 2011-2022

Number of homes in Seoul South Korea 2015-2021

Number of housing units in Seoul, South Korea from 2015 to 2021 (in millions)

Housing transactions volume Seoul, South Korea 2009-2021

Number of housing transactions in Seoul in South Korea from 2009 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Average apartment purchase price per square meter South Korea 2023, by province

Average price of apartment purchases in South Korea as of November 2023, by province (in million South Korean won per square meter)

Most expensive areas to live in Seoul as of November 2023, based on average apartment selling price (in million South Korean won)

Mean purchase price of apartments in Seoul South Korea 2023, by size

Mean purchase price of apartments in Seoul, South Korea in October 2023, by size (in million South Korean won per square meter)

Mean jeonse price of apartments Seoul South Korea 2022, by size

Mean jeonse price of apartments in Seoul in South Korea in October 2022, by size (in million South Korean won)

Residential property price development Seoul South Korea 2011-2022

Annual growth in residential house prices in Seoul, South Korea from 2011 to 2022

Jeonse price growth of residential houses Seoul South Korea 2011-2022

Annual jeonse price growth rate of residential houses in South Korea's capital Seoul from 2011 to 2022

  • Premium Statistic Number of hotels in Seoul South Korea 2017-2022
  • Premium Statistic International tourists visiting Seoul South Korea 2022, by country
  • Premium Statistic Number of visitors to tourist attractions in Seoul South Korea 2018-2022
  • Premium Statistic Leading tourist attractions in Seoul South Korea 2022, by number of visitors

Number of hotels in Seoul South Korea 2017-2022

Number of hotels in Seoul, South Korea from 2017 to 2022

International tourists visiting Seoul South Korea 2022, by country

Share of international tourists visiting Seoul, South Korea in 2022, by country of residence

Number of visitors to tourist attractions in Seoul South Korea 2018-2022

Number of visitors to leading tourist attractions in Seoul, South Korea from 2018 to 2022 (in millions)

Leading tourist attractions in Seoul South Korea 2022, by number of visitors

Most visited tourist attractions in Seoul, South Korea in 2022, by number of visitors (in millions)

  • Premium Statistic Number of violent crime arrests in Seoul South Korea 2014-2021
  • Premium Statistic Number of violent crime arrests in Seoul South Korea 2022, by type
  • Premium Statistic Number of police officers in Seoul South Korea 2011-2020
  • Premium Statistic Rate of police officers in Seoul South Korea 2011-2020

Number of violent crime arrests in Seoul South Korea 2014-2021

Number of arrests for violent offenses in Seoul, South Korea from 2014 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Number of violent crime arrests in Seoul South Korea 2022, by type

Number of arrests for violent offenses in Seoul, South Korea in 2022, by type of crime

Number of police officers in Seoul South Korea 2011-2020

Number of police officers in Seoul, South Korea from 2011 to 2020 (in 1,000s)

Rate of police officers in Seoul South Korea 2011-2020

Number of police officers per 10,000 population in Seoul, South Korea from 2011 to 2020

Digital lifestyle

  • Premium Statistic Internet penetration in Seoul South Korea 2015-2022
  • Premium Statistic Social media usage in Seoul South Korea 2016-2022
  • Premium Statistic Social media usage in Seoul South Korea 2022, by type
  • Premium Statistic Internet shopping usage rate in Seoul South Korea 2011-2022

Internet penetration in Seoul South Korea 2015-2022

Percentage of internet users in Seoul, South Korea from 2015 to 2022

Social media usage in Seoul South Korea 2016-2022

Share of people using social networking services in Seoul, South Korea from 2016 to 2022

Social media usage in Seoul South Korea 2022, by type

Share of people using social networking services in Seoul, South Korea in 2022, by type

Internet shopping usage rate in Seoul South Korea 2011-2022

Online shopping usage rate in Seoul, South Korea from 2011 to 2022

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South Korea Visitor Arrivals

  • South Korea Visitor Arrivals recorded 1,488,352 person in Mar 2024, compared with 1,027,801 person in the previous month
  • South Korea Visitor Arrivals data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1975 to Mar 2024
  • The data reached an all-time high of 1,681,516 person in Jul 2016 and a record low of 28,714 person in Apr 2020

View South Korea's Visitor Arrivals from Jan 1975 to Mar 2024 in the chart:

South Korea Visitor Arrivals

What was South Korea's Visitor Arrivals in Mar 2024?

South Korea Visitor Arrivals recorded 1,488,352 person in Mar 2024, compared with 1,027,801 person in the previous month See the table below for more data.

Visitor Arrivals by Country Comparison

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Seoul Factsheet

Discover the total economic contribution that the Travel & Tourism sector brings to Seoul and the world in this data-rich, two-page factsheet.

Discover the direct and total economic contribution that the Travel & Tourism sector brings to the Seoul’s economies in this comprehensive report.

Discover the direct and total economic contribution that the Travel & Tourism sector brings to Seoul in this comprehensive report.

Create an account for free or login to download

Factsheet details

This factsheet highlights the importance of Travel & Tourism to Seoul across many metrics, and features details such as:

  • Contribution of the sector to overall GDP and employment
  • Comparisons between 2019 and 2023
  • Forecasts for 2024 and 2034
  • International and domestic visitor spending
  • Proportion of leisure vs business spending
  • Top 5 inbound and outbound markets

This latest report reveals the importance of Travel & Tourism to the Seoul in granular detail across many metrics. The report’s features include:

  • Absolute and relative contributions of Travel & Tourism to GDP and employment, international and domestic spending
  • Data on leisure and business spending, capital investment, government spending and outbound spending
  • Charts comparing data across every year from 2014 to 2024
  • Detailed data tables for the years 2018-2023 plus forecasts for 2024 and the decade to 2034

Purchase of this report also provides access to two supporting papers: Methodology and Data Sources and Estimation Techniques.

This latest report reveals the importance of Travel & Tourism to Seoul in granular detail across many metrics. The report’s features include:

This factsheet highlights the importance of T&T to this city across many metrics, and features details such as:

  • Contribution of the sector to overall GDP and employment in the city
  • Comparisons between 2019, 2020 and 2021, plus 2022 forecast
  • Proportion of the T&T at city level towards overall T&T contribution at a country level
  • Top 5 inbound source markets

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Seoul sees record 3.03 mln foreign tourists in Q1

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- The number of foreign tourists visiting Seoul reached a record high of 3.03 million in the first quarter of 2019 due to an increase in the number of individual Chinese visitors, the Seoul metropolitan government said Wednesday.

All-time highs for the same period in previous years were 2.82 million in 2017, 2.52 million in 2015, 2.80 million in 2016 and 2.65 million in 2018.

The city government attributed the rise to more individual Chinese tourists traveling to the South Korean capital at a time when South Korea and China have gradually recovered diplomatic relations.

The recovery came on the heels of China's 2017 ban on selling Korea-bound package tours in apparent retaliation over the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system here.

On Wednesday, the city government also revealed the results of a survey on the status of foreign tourists in 2018. The survey, jointly conducted by the Seoul Tourism Foundation, involved 6,000 foreign tourists.

Last year, foreign visitors stayed an average of 5.44 days, up from five days the previous year.

The proportion of returning visitors out of all visitors increased 5.5 percentage points from a year ago to 49.8 percent, while their average expenditures inched up to 1,962,000 won (around US$1,719) from 1,956,000 won.

Foreign tourists' overall satisfaction level about tours to Seoul was 4.25 points out of five, up from 4.16 points.

They were satisfied with security at 4.35 points and shopping at 4.27 points, while giving fewer points to language communication at 3.69 points and tourist guide services at 3.95 points.

Tourists from the Americas, Europe and China showed their satisfaction levels above the average of 4.25 points, and tourists from Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong gave their overall satisfaction levels below the average.

Japanese visitors topped the list of returning visitors at 68.5 percent, with those from the Americas showing the least intention to return to Seoul at 27.7 percent.

This file photo, dated Feb. 3, 2019, shows foreign tourists in the traditional Korean attire of "hanbok" visiting Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul. (Yonhap)

This file photo, dated Feb. 3, 2019, shows foreign tourists in the traditional Korean attire of "hanbok" visiting Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul. (Yonhap)

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  • South Korea ›

Tourism In South Korea Statistics 2023: All You Need to Know

By gowithguide travel specialist: chloe m..

# visitsouthkorea

# southkorea

South Korea Tour Guide

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 South Korea tour 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. 

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South Korea’s Top 10 Tourism Statistics 

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 13,380,000 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. Number 1 - BTS holds the number 1 spot in Spotify’s Top Followed K-Pop Groups of 2023 with the hit song “Permission to Dance.” amongst others on constant replay.

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 with 6 million visitors. 2. Japan - South Korea’s neighbor comes in second with 3.3 million visitors in 2019. 3. Taiwan - The land of industry and heritage brought over 1.3 million visitors in 2019. 4. United States - The Korean waves washed in 1 million US visitors in 2019. 5. Hong Kong - Last but never least, Hong Kong brought in 700,000 visitors in 2019.

South Korea's Fascinating Faves  

Okay, so we know who loves South Korea, but what do visitors do once they land? Here are the Top 5 most visited attractions in South Korea. 

  •   Everland -  South Korea’s largest theme park & resort saw a whopping 5.7 million visitors from all over the world in 2022. 
  •   KINTEX - The massive Korean International Exhibition Center drew 5.31 million visitors in 2022 thanks to it being a popular venue for meetings, conferences and of course, exhibitions.
  • Lotte World - From indoor delights to outdoor thrills, Lotte World adventure has brought joy to the 4.52 million that spend their day in the massive theme park in 2022. 
  •   National Museum Of Korea - The home of Korean history, culture and art welcomed 3.4 million visitors in 2022. 
  • Gyeongbokgung Palace - Rounding out the top 5 is the grandest of South Korea’s 5 palaces dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. In 2022 this intricate palace welcomed 3.39 million visitors. 

Life in South Korea

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

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Top Must See South Korean Regions

1. Seoul -  The country’s capital is a metropolis fusing modern skyscrapers and pop culture with centuries-old temples and savory-smelling street markets. For first timers in South Korea, Seoul should definitely be on your itinerary. The capital has a little bit of everything , so you are in for a taste of what it is like to live like a resident. For the foodies, Seoul will appease your appetite with the best kimchi, bibimbap, and tteokbokki in the world. Ask our local guides for more information on the best foods to try in South Korea. 

2. Jeju Island - With a volcano towering Jeju Island , it is no wonder the region attracts adventurous travelers ready for hikes, days on the beach, and being in tune with nature. The island is a wonderful place to visit all year round, but if you want to get the peak experience, the spring and summer months will find you wanting to stay for longer. 

3. Busan - The port city of Busan is a city with surprisingly a vast expanse of greenery with a sea backdrop. Take a pick from its healing forests, South Korea’s biggest Buddha, or Lotte World. 

4. The DMZ - Korea is divided into two governments, and being on the same block of island, needed a 250 km (160 mi) long and 4 km (2.5 mi) wide Demilitarized Zone . Visit the area to learn more about the Korean Peninsula’s history with a professional tour guide to assure your safety in the area.

Best Time to Visit South Korea

Private guided tours around the country are available year round, but if you want to get the most from your trip, there are certain seasons that prove unrivaled. 

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  • Spring Months - April to June By far the best time to visit the country is during the spring months, when the temperature is pleasing, the air is neither too dry nor too humid, and the atmosphere is awash with cherry blossoms. 
  • Fall Months  - September to November  Our local guides also suggest visiting in the fall months if you are unable to book for the spring. The fall months are also better for those with hay fever, according to the Korean Calendar for Allergenic Pollens . 
  • Summer Months - July and August Summer is the hottest and wettest time in the country, albeit only two months long. For those in search of some beach and ocean action, then this is the best time to dive in. 
  • Winter Months - December to March  The freezing cold of South Korea can be pretty extreme, but this dry and beautiful season is the perfect time to go skiing, sightseeing, and shopping.

How to Get Around South Korea

By train - the whole country is connected by rail, making trains an easy and affordable option for sightseeing. Our South Korea tour guides can also take you on the high speed KOrail and let you know the best passes to use on your customized tour experience.  

By Bus - Intercity transport is also convenient if you choose buses as your main mode of transportation. 

By Ferry - To get to the islands, our local guides recommend hopping on a ferry. It is fun, does not hurt the budget, and is a once in a lifetime experience. 

Insider Tip : Make sure to buy a transportation card, TMoney or Cashbee, before embarking on a train or bus ride. This will save you time, money, and from avoidable stress!

Safety in South Korea

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  South Korea 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.

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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. 

Ready to take your trip planning to the next level? Get in touch with a  South Korea tour guide and get your itinerary party started!

South Korea will only continue to enchant the world, so be the first to share this all-in-one guide to friends and family. 

Popular South Korea Tour Guides

Seoul Tour Guide - Paul K.

Hello everyone, I am Paul, a tour guide in Seoul. Seoul is a fascinating destination that seamlessly blends the old with the new. I'm excited to show you some of the best things to make your trip fun and excited, through my deep knowledge about culture and history of Korea and exuberant experiences as tour guide. My primary tourist destination is Seoul and metropolitan area, consisting of 5 palaces, Royal Ancestral Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village, National museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and other museums & galleries and contemporary architectures, and Namsan Mt. with N-Seoul Tower, traditional & trendy market places such as Gwangjang market & Hondae street, and also Korean Folk Village & DMZ tour. Center of culture and tour is architecture. Architectural style represents spirit of times. We can see as much as we know about spirit of times. For example, without knowledge about Christianity, the spirit of medieval Europe, we cannot fully appreciate beauty and value of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Confucianism was the spirit of Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung represents Confucianism. Confucianism culture of Joseon Dynasty is unique characteristic of Korean culture, compared to Chinese, Japanese and European culture. Hence, my tourist information is based on Confucianism. Thank you for your interest! As your guide, I hope to see you soon in Seoul.                                                                                                                                  

Seoul Tour Guide - Thomas K.

I am Thomas, a licensed tour guide in Seoul, Korea since 2016. I am optimistic, easy-going and open-minded. Before being a tour guide, I had worked at a major company as a personnel manager for almost 30 years. I learned how to get along with people through my job experience. Now, as a tour guide, If you let me know what you are interested in, for example, places to visit, activities to do, and food to eat. I will do my best to make everything you imagine come true. I offer the best services; High Quality and Customized tours, Free transportation service and Free photo service. I also guarantee a comfortable, pleasant, safe and memorable tour. Enjoy the moment at your own pace and time in Korea, I will capture it as a photo. Thank you                                                                                                                                  

Seoul Tour Guide - Hans K.

Hello Everyone, My name is Hans, I've been living in Seoul Korea over 40 years and working as an officially certified English speaking tour & trekking guide since 2015. I have various experiences in city tours including history, culture, religion, foods and so on, and I met lots of tourists with Private and Group from the world, and understand of what they want to see and do. As a result, I can bring tourist to those major tourist spots and believe you will be satisfied with my tour, and back to home with forgettable memories after the time with me. My tour coverages are Seoul City tour with DMZ, Unesco world heritages, National park trekking, country side cycling tour, and nationwide multiple days tour with my van.                                                                                                                                  

Busan Tour Guide - Dylan K.

I'm Dylan. It's my pleasure to share a bit about my background with you. I had the privilege of majoring in English Literature at a renowned university in Korea. Following that, I served for two years in the U.S. military base stationed here in Korea. This tenure was indeed an enriching phase of my life where I got the opportunity to deeply understand various cultures and perspectives during my interactions and trainings with my American colleagues. This phase not only allowed me to learn but also nurtured me into a person who holds great respect and understanding towards diverse cultures. In 2018, I was honored to be the driver for the family of Intel's CEO during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. That wonderful opportunity significantly influenced my decision to become a tour guide. After that enriching experience, I acquired a nationally recognized certification as a tourist interpreter guide. Since then, it's been my pleasure to have conducted over 800 private tours, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Busan to visitors. I constantly strive to offer the very best service to my clients, rooted in my steadfast philosophy to "facilitate a deep appreciation for the beauty of Busan, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime." My commitment to this mission remains as strong as ever. I kindly invite you to join me in exploring the hidden beauties of Busan, and to craft special memories together. Would that interest you?                                                                                                                                  

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Start your day with a roundup of key stories from The Korea Herald with news and comment on all that’s happening in Korea. 

Seoul Tourism Organization aims to attract 28 million foreign tourists by 2026

Published : July 18, 2022 - 18:08

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Kil Ki-yon, head of Seoul Tourism Organization (Yonhap)

Articles by Kim Hae-yeon

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South Korea Tourist Arrivals

Tourist arrivals in south korea increased to 1030244 in february from 880881 in january of 2024. tourist arrivals in south korea averaged 639793.14 from 1993 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 1703495.00 in july of 2016 and a record low of 29415.00 in april of 2020. source: korea tourism organization,   markets,   gdp,   labour,   prices,   money,   trade,   government,   business,   consumer,   housing,   taxes,   climate.

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (STO)

Country: Republic of Korea

Website: http://www.sto.or.kr/english/index

The Seoul Tourism Organization is a public organization  tasked with attracting international visitors through the effective development, commercialization and marketing of Seoul´s tourism resources. It aims to strengthen Seoul´s global competitiveness and increase the expertise and effectiveness of Seoul City´s marketing projects to ensure their sustainability.

seoul tourism statistics

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Mayor Oh Se-hoon Visits the UAE for ‘Seoul Sales’ to Boost Tourism and Investment

International relations news.

seoul tourism statistics

  • The Mayor will stay in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for five nights and seven days to deliver a keynote speech and discuss ways for shared growth at the Dubai FinTech Summit.
  • He will sign an MOU with Dubai Future Foundation to help Korea’s AI, bio, and other high-tech startups access the Middle East market.
  • The Mayor’s keynote speech at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress in Abu Dhabi will outline Seoul’s future growth plans, which are focused on innovative transportation policies that improve the citizens’ livelihoods.
  • The Mayor will also visit the mixed-use developed Yas Island and the carbon-zero Masdar City to collect ideas about ways to harmonize job, housing, and leisure policies.

Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor Oh Se-hoon will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for five nights and seven days from Sun, May 5 to Sat, May 11 for the Dubai FinTech Summit (Mon, May 6 in Dubai). During the stay, the Mayor will visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

During the trip, Mayor Oh will attend international events in cities in the UAE to explore ways to achieve shared development between Seoul and the UAE, promote investment and tourism in Seoul, and suggest ways to develop Seoul for the better in the future.

Mayor Oh was invited to deliver keynote speeches at the Dubai FinTech Summit and the AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi (Future Cities’ pillar).

In addition to the Dubai Fintech Summit, the Mayor will attend the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Invest Seoul and Dubai Chamber of Commerce, take part in the overseas promotion of Seoul tourism, sign an MOU with Dubai Future Foundation, deliver a keynote speech at the AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi (Future Cities’ pillar), and visit Yas Island and Masdar City, using each occasion as an opportunity to shape the ideas to achieve the vision for Attractive Seoul.

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  1. Seoul

    Seoul - statistics & facts. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is the country's largest city with a population of nearly ten million people. Located in the northwest of the country along the Han ...

  2. Seoul Tourism Statistics 2023: The Ultimate Guide

    July to August: Hot, wet, and muggy, Seoul's summer season is no joke! June is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 24°C (75°F) and average highs of 27°C (81°F). Seoul's monsoon season also starts near summertime, so expect some sporadic rains as July is also the wettest month with 395 mm of rain.

  3. South Korea Visitor Arrivals [Chart-Data-Forecast], 1975

    South Korea Visitor Arrivals recorded 1,488,352 person in Mar 2024, compared with 1,027,801 person in the previous month. South Korea Visitor Arrivals data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1975 to Mar 2024. The data reached an all-time high of 1,681,516 person in Jul 2016 and a record low of 28,714 person in Apr 2020.

  4. 2022 Seoul Survey results: statistics on citizens, foreigners, and

    The Official Website of Seoul. You can view a wealth of information about the city, including the main policies, history, culture, tourism, metropolitan experience, medical welfare, transportation, etc., along with an overall introduction to the city such as Seoul-related videos, photos, and map.

  5. International tourism, number of arrivals

    International tourism, number of arrivals - Korea, Rep. World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files. License : CC BY-4.0

  6. Seoul

    This factsheet highlights the importance of Travel & Tourism to Seoul across many metrics, and features details such as: Contribution of the sector to overall GDP and employment; Comparisons between 2019 and 2023; Forecasts for 2024 and 2034; International and domestic visitor spending; Proportion of leisure vs business spending

  7. OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2022

    Find statistics on domestic, inbound and outbound tourism in Korea from 2017 to 2021, including trips, visitors, nights, receipts and expenditure. Compare Korea with other OECD countries and partner economies in tourism performance and policy trends.

  8. Seoul sees record 3.03 mln foreign tourists in Q1

    The survey, jointly conducted by the Seoul Tourism Foundation, involved 6,000 foreign tourists. Last year, foreign visitors stayed an average of 5.44 days, up from five days the previous year. The proportion of returning visitors out of all visitors increased 5.5 percentage points from a year ago to 49.8 percent, while their average ...

  9. Tourism In South Korea Statistics 2023: All You Need to Know

    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 ...

  10. Korea

    Tourism in the economy. Tourism is a significant driver of economic growth in Korea. In 2018, it accounted for 4.7% of GDP and is estimated to support 1.4 million jobs, representing 5.3% of total employment. Travel exports represented 15.5% of total service exports in 2018. International visit arrivals increased by 15.1% to 15.3 million in 2018.

  11. Korea

    Source: OECD Tourism Statistics (Database). StatLink https://stat.link/p16c0f. Korea: Internal tourism consumption. Million KRW. 2019. Domestic tourism expenditure. Inbound tourism expenditure. Internal tourism consumption. Total. 57 088 564 p. 30 467 398 p. 96 139 553 p. Consumption products. 56 611 040 p. 30 369 552 p.

  12. Seoul Tourism Organization aims to attract 28 million foreign tourists

    The STO's statistics show that 13.37 million foreign visitors came to Seoul in 2019, before the pandemic. ... K-pop phenomenon BTS will continue to serve as Seoul tourism honorary ambassadors ...

  13. South Korea Tourist Arrivals

    Tourist Arrivals in South Korea increased to 1030244 in February from 880881 in January of 2024. This page provides - South Korea Tourist Arrivals - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

  14. Tourism in South Korea

    Tourism in South Korea and its industry caters to both foreign and domestic tourists. In 2019, 17.5 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, making it the 20th most visited country in the world. Most non-Korean tourists come from other parts of East Asia such as Japan, mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.The recent popularity of Korean popular culture, often known as the "Korean Wave ...

  15. South Korea Tourism Statistics 1960-2024

    South Korea tourism statistics for 2020 was 11,776,000,000.00, a 53.74% decline from 2019. South Korea tourism statistics for 2019 was 25,456,000,000.00, a 10.18% increase from 2018. International tourism receipts are expenditures by international inbound visitors, including payments to national carriers for international transport.

  16. SEOUL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (STO)

    The Seoul Tourism Organization is a public organization tasked with attracting international visitors through the effective development, commercialization and marketing of Seoul´s tourism resources. It aims to strengthen Seoul´s global competitiveness and increase the expertise and effectiveness of Seoul City´s marketing projects to ensure ...

  17. Number of foreign tourists to hit record high in 2019

    A street in Myeong-dong in central Seoul is crowded with citizens and foreign travelers, Tuesday. The number of foreign tourists to Korea is expected to reach a record 17.5 million this year. / Yonhap

  18. Mayor Oh Se-hoon Visits the UAE for 'Seoul Sales' to Boost Tourism and

    The Official Website of Seoul. You can view a wealth of information about the city, including the main policies, history, culture, tourism, metropolitan experience, medical welfare, transportation, etc., along with an overall introduction to the city such as Seoul-related videos, photos, and map.