Korean travelers have directed nearly half of their overseas spending toward Japan, which continues to dominate as the leading destination in the Asia-Pacific region. An analysis of transactions made with domestically issued personal Visa cards at overseas offline merchants during the first half of this year reveals that 62% of total spending occurred in this region.
Japan’s share of total spending increased significantly, rising from 39% last year to 48% this year. This surge is attributed to the weak yen and a rise in direct flight options. Meanwhile, Australia climbed from fourth to third place in the rankings, benefiting from the introduction of direct routes by low-cost airlines to major cities.
Additionally, spending in China, Hong Kong, and Macau experienced substantial growth. Transactions in China nearly quadrupled compared to last year, a trend driven by the country’s border reopening and a notable increase in visits. Spending in Hong Kong and Macau also tripled, reflecting a broader resurgence in travel to these destinations.
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