Busan reports a sharp rise in international arrivals in the first half of 2026, helped by a broader recovery in regional travel and a high-profile BTS stadium concert in June. Municipal data released on Thursday says the southern port city welcomes more than 2.42 million foreign visitors from January through June, up 43.9% from the same period in 2025. The figure marks a record level for the post-pandemic period, and Busan says it is on track to reach its annual goal of 4 million foreign tourists. With six months of data, the city has already surpassed 60% of that target.
Sources also note that the growth is led by visitors from across Asia. Travelers from Taiwan and mainland China account for nearly 40% of total arrivals, with Taiwanese visitors increasing by 54% year-on-year to become the largest group, and Chinese arrivals nearly doubling, rising 90.7%. Additional gains are reported from other markets, including the United States, which grows 76.4%, and European countries such as France and Britain. The influx is described as generating significant benefits for Busan’s local economy.
