The growth rate outpaced the 21.3% increase recorded nationwide during the same period, putting Busan on track to surpass 4 million foreign visitors this year, after welcoming 3.6 million in 2025, Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
|
Haeundae Beach in Busan, South Korea. Photo by Tripadvisor |
Last year marked the first time Busan’s annual foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 3 million.
Taiwan was the city’s largest source market this year, accounting for 605,000 visitors, followed by mainland China with 594,000 and Japan with 340,000.
The number of visitors from the U.S., which has no direct flights to Busan, jumped 78.4% to 259,675.
Busan has numerous dermatology and plastic surgery clinics, and the city said the concentration of medical tourism-related spending in the area helped drive the increase in foreign visitors, The Korea Herald reported.
The city, which hosted the 2002 Asian Games and the 2005 APEC summit, is also known for scenic beaches, seafood markets, and vibrant cultural events.