Translation result
The global K-content craze is sending more travelers to South Korea — and they’re not just eyeing Seoul. Searches for flights into regional airports have jumped sharply, signaling a broader spread of inbound interest across the country.
Global travel app Skyscanner released an analysis of Q1 2026 inbound travel search volumes to South Korea on April 9, based on the company’s own search data.
The report found that flight searches listing Incheon, Gimpo and Gimhae International Airports as destinations rose 38% year over year in Q1. Broken down by airport, Incheon saw a 28.8% increase, Gimpo rose 44.1%, and Gimhae surged 66% — highlighting particularly strong growth at regional airports and suggesting travelers are exploring options beyond the main gateway.
By country of origin, Japan accounted for the largest share of searches at 48.3%, followed by Taiwan (14.1%), China (6.4%), Thailand (5.6%) and Germany (5.1%). The UK (4.8%), Italy (4.5%), Australia (3.9%), Spain (3.7%) and France (3.6%) rounded out the top sources.
City-level data showed Tokyo (30.6%) and Osaka (17.4%) in first and second place, with other major Asian hubs like Taipei (13.9%), Bangkok (7.3%) and Nagoya (6.5%) also ranking highly. European cities such as London (6.0%), Paris (4.3%) and Frankfurt (4.2%) also represented meaningful shares.
Skyscanner sees this trend as a clear sign that interest in visiting Korea is spreading beyond the Seoul area to regional destinations. “Regional cities with diverse food scenes, distinct cultural attractions and convenient transportation networks are drawing the attention of international travelers,” said Jessica Min, a Skyscanner travel expert.
She added that Skyscanner offers tools like multi-city and nearby-airport searches to help travelers plan smarter itineraries. The app also displays train-route information alongside flight results, making it easier for visitors to reach and explore a wider range of destinations across Korea.
Most Commented