Foreign Tourists' Spending in South Korea Surges with Medical Travel Boom The recent surge in foreign tourists' spending in South Korea, driven by a medical travel boom, has significant implications for the country's tourism industry and its relationships with major markets like China.
The 53. 6% increase in tourist spending, with medical tourism accounting for nearly double the amount spent in 2025, indicates a profound shift in the types of experiences foreign visitors are seeking.
Medical tourism has long been touted as a key driver of growth for South Korea's economy. Recent data suggests that this prediction is finally bearing fruit.