In brief
In the first nine months of 2026, foreign visitors used credit and debit cards in Seoul for 8.84 trillion won, a 57.7 % jump from the same period in 2025. Shopping, medical and wellness services lead the spending, while the Gangnam district accounts for the largest share. City officials plan to extend the tourism boom by linking major attractions with local commerce.
In Seoul, Korea, foreign visitors spent 8.84 trillion won—about US$6.57 billion—using credit and debit cards from January through September, a nearly 58 % surge from the same stretch of last year, according to city government data released Thursday. The up‑turn reflects a record 13.14 million international tourists who visited the capital during the first nine months of 2026, up 21.5 % from 2025.
The record card spending, already exceeding the annual total of 7.94 trillion won for 2025, is concentrated in several key sectors. Shopping accounts for the largest slice, with 46 % of the total, followed by medical and wellness services at 23.8 %. Food and beverage purchases represent 13.3 %, while accommodation uses comprise 10.4 %.
Among Seoul’s 25 administrative districts, the Gangnam ward leads spender activity, capturing 29.6 % of total card purchases, followed by Jung ward at 27.7 % and Mapo ward at 7.1 %. In several other districts, card spending has more than doubled, including Gangdong, Guro, Dongdaemun, and Seongdong wards.
Tourist‑centered sites saw a sharp rise in purchases: spending in 10 major attractions—including Myeongdong, Gangnam and Seongsu—grew 57.2 % year over year to 5.32 trillion won. Local commercial alleys outside the main hubs posted an 80.5 % jump, totaling 308.2 billion won.
The visitors that propelled the numbers came largely from China, where 4.2 million tourists accounted for the largest share, followed by 2.5 million from Japan, 1.43 million from Taiwan and 930,000 from the United States.
Foreign tourism has also boosted leisure offerings along the Han River, as city data show a 41.7 % increase in foreign visitors to the parks during the same nine‑month period.
City officials said they plan to use the surge to further stimulate the local economy by connecting major tourist attractions with nearby commercial districts and traditional markets. They aim to produce content that encourages visitors to extend their stays and spend more, hoping the tourism boom will translate into a wider revitalization for Seoul’s neighborhoods.
While the 8.84 trillion‑won figure surpasses last year’s total for the full year, the growth suggests that Seoul’s four‑year strategy to become a global travel hub may be paying off. By 2027 the city expects to sustain the momentum, further tapping into the high‑spending potential of foreigners in its urban and cultural centers.
