News
Busan on track to welcome 4 million foreign visitors
Foreign tourists take a commemorative photo at Haeundae Beach.
Foreigners try on hanbok at Gamcheon Culture Village.
Busan welcomed 2,420,629 international visitors in the first half of 2026, already achieving 60.5% of its annual target of 4 million. Compared with the same period last year, the number of international visitors rose 43.9% from 1,682,415. In June alone, Busan welcomed 484,057 international visitors, the highest monthly figure recorded this year.
Taiwan remained Busan's largest source market with 477,606 visitors, followed by China (468,876), Japan (291,141), the United States (219,147) and the Philippines (93,061).
Visitor numbers from Taiwan increased 54% year on year, accounting for the largest share of cumulative arrivals in the first half of the year at 19.7%.
The city also found that hosting major performances attracts international visitors. Using data from mobile carrier KT and credit card company BC, the analysis showed that the area within a 3-kilometer radius of Busan Asiad Main Stadium recorded approximately 730,000 visits by international visitors during the BTS concert week from June 8 to 14, up 341.9% from the previous week. Spending at nearby businesses also increased by 114.8% during the same period.
Building on this momentum, Busan aims to focus on the quality of tourism by encouraging visitors to stay longer and return. To strengthen its identity as a maritime capital, Busan plans to introduce new marine transportation options, including an amphibious tour bus and water taxis. The city will also expand experiential tourism programs linked to major events such as the Busan Fireworks Festival and Starry Night in Busan: Night Festa.
Busan will continue to make travel more convenient for international visitors by enhancing the Visit Busan Pass and expanding partnerships with global tourism platforms.