Outbound travelers in Korea more than double that of inbound visitors Jan.-Nov.

Outbound travelers in Korea more than double that of inbound visitors Jan.-Nov. [Photos : Han Joo-hyung, Yonhap]

The number of South Koreans traveling abroad has more than doubled that of foreigners visiting the country in the first 11 months of last year, further aggravating the country’s tourism balance that is already in a chronic deficit.

According to Korea Tourism Organization data on Sunday, the number of Koreans leaving the country in the first 11 months last year was 5.16 million, a more than a four-fold increase from the previous year of 1.2 million. The number of passengers using Incheon International Airport came to 17.9 million last year, posting an increase for the first time in three years on the back of travel momentum on eased Covid-19 restrictions.

In contrast, the number of foreigners who visited South Korea last year was 2.7 million, which was only half of the number of Koreans leaving the country, although it is more than double from the previous year’s 967,003.

The travel account deficit widened to $6.3 billion as of end of October last year, already exceeding $6.23 billion in 2021.