South Korea Source Tourism Insight by Domestic and Outbound Tourism, Key Destinations and Tourist Profiles, 2023 Update

South Korea Source Tourism Market Report Overview

The South Korea source tourism market research report provides a thorough insight into South Korea’s domestic and outbound tourism market. The report looks at the profiles of South Korea tourists and summarizes the key reasons that they travel. The report offers an in-depth analysis of traveler flows, spending patterns, main destination markets, and current and future opportunities for tourism businesses seeking to tap into the South Korea outbound travel market.

South Korea Source Tourism Market Dynamics

In 2022, the South Korean tourism sector witnessed a significant recovery. However, that’s still lower than the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019. GlobalData expects international departures reach to the pre-pandemic level by 2024. A further recovery in international tourism is expected to positively contribute to South Korea’s economic growth in 2023.

In Feb 2023, China lifted the travel ban on South Korea and initiated the processing of its temporary visa applications, this plays a crucial role in supporting outbound tourism. South Korean authorities have announced that beginning March 11, 2023, travelers from China, Macau, and Hong Kong will no longer be required to take the COVID-19 pre-departure test.

For more insights into the South Korea source tourism market, download a free report sample

South Korea Source Tourism Market Segments

The key segments in the South Korea source tourism market are domestic tourism and outbound tourism. Domestic tourism was the leading segment in the South Korea source tourism market in 2022.

Domestic Tourism: Leisure is the most popular purpose of domestic travel. Leisure continues to be the most popular purpose of visit in domestic tourism. As a result of the reduced Covid 19 policies, borders across the world have reopened. Seoul’s government has announced measures that will ease travel restrictions and is targeting 30 million tourists by 2027. The tourism organization intends to achieve this number through digital tourism platform services and Korean-content storytelling tour programs, featuring cities such as Gyeongju, Jeju City, Suwon, Busan, Chuncheon, and, of course, the capital Seoul.

Outbound Tourism: Outbound tourism from South Korea has grown rapidly, now one of APAC’s largest source markets. South Korean outbound tourism had grown to become the third largest source market in the APAC region in 2019 when measured by trips. GlobalData expects international departures will grow significantly by 2027. International borders are opened for travelers after the pandemic which created an opportunity for Koreans to travel across the world, Passport holders from South Korea will no longer require a visa to enter 146 countries and territories as of May 2023.

For more segment insights into the South Korea source tourism market, download a free report sample

South Korea Source Tourism Market Segmentation by Holiday Types

The types of holidays preferred by tourists from South Korea are sun & beach holidays, cultural holidays, city break holidays, visiting friends or family, gastronomical holidays, adventure/sports holidays, multi-stop trip holidays, wellness/medical holidays, cruise, eco holidays, LGBTQ holidays, wedding-related holidays, and religious holidays, among others. In 2021, sun & beach holidays were the most popular with South Korea tourists.

South Korea Source Tourism Market Analysis by Holiday Types, 2021 (%)

For more holiday-type insights into South Korea source tourism market, download a free report sample

Segments Covered in the Report

South Korea Source Tourism Market Segments Outlook

• Domestic Tourism
• Outbound Tourism

South Korea Source Tourism Market Holiday Types

• Sun & Beach Holidays
• Visiting Friends or Family
• Cruise
• Adventure/Sports Holidays
• City Break Holidays
• Religious Holidays
• Gastronomical Holidays
• Eco Holidays
• Cultural Holidays
• Wellness/Medical Holidays
• Multi-Stop Trip Holidays
• Wedding-Related Holidays
• LGBTQ Holidays

Scope

This report is part of GlobalData’s Source Market Insights Series. This report provides an in-depth analysis of traveler flows, spending patterns, main destination markets, as well as current and future opportunities for tourism businesses seeking to tap into the outbound travel market.

Key Highlights

According to GlobalData’s Q3 2021 Consumer Survey, sun and beach is the most popular holiday type for South Korean tourists. Out of XXX respondents XX% said they typically take this holiday type.

As per GlobalData’s Traveller Demands and Flows Database XX% of trips to other countries are for leisure, while only XX% of are for business purpose followed by XX% VFR and XX% for other personal reasons.

South Koreans are fond of gastronomical & cultural holidays. According to GlobalData’s Q3 2021 Consumer Survey XX% of respondents typically take gastronomy holidays, XX% higher than the world’s average and XX% of respondents are more interested in taking cultural holidays.

South Korean outbound tourism had grown to become the third largest source market in the APAC region in XX, when measured by trips. In XX, the number of international departures reached XX million and fell to XXmillion in XX and XXmillion in XX.

Reasons to Buy

• This report provides a clear insight into developments in South Korea’s regional and outbound tourism markets. The report uses data and analysis to discuss future trends related to domestic trips, international departures, traveler spending, and main destination markets.
• The report explores the different profiles of South Korea tourists and the reasons that they travel, hence providing insight into the trends in different segments of the market. The reader gains a strong understanding of the opportunities in the country, as well as the risks, to support better business decisions.
• This report examines the impact of COVID-19 on South Korea’s outbound and domestic tourism.