The four destinations did not move together in 2026. Korea is setting monthly records, Japan has lost most of its Chinese demand, Thailand is slightly down on last year and Indonesia is growing steadily. For an agent, the arrival figures matter less as a scoreboard than as a guide to where hotel and air space will be tight, and where it may not be.
The figures below are the latest official releases as of the end of September 2026. Each country counts arrivals in its own way, so compare the direction of travel rather than the raw totals.
Korea: Records Month After Month
Korea received 15,048,435 foreign visitors from January to August 2026, up 21.6% on the same period of 2025, according to figures released on 28 September by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization. August alone brought 2,245,293 visitors, the highest monthly total on record.
China was the largest source market at 4.82 million, up 29.0%, followed by Japan at 2.70 million and Taiwan at 1.66 million. Visitors from the United States passed one million. The practical reading is simple: Seoul is busy, and demand is growing faster than in any of our other three markets.
Japan: One Market Down, Many Up
Japan received about 3.1 million visitors in August, down 9.6% on August 2025, according to estimates from the Japan National Tourism Organization. The fall came almost entirely from China, where arrivals dropped 59.0% to 418,000 after the Chinese government advised its citizens against travel to Japan and air services were cut.
The rest of the picture is different. Arrivals from Korea rose 28.7% to 850,500, and fourteen markets set August records. Arrivals from Southeast Asia fell, which JNTO attributed mainly to fewer flights. From January to August, Japan recorded 27.6 million visitors, down 2.7%.
Thailand: A Slower Year Before the High Season
Thailand recorded 22,666,429 international arrivals from 1 January to 26 September 2026, down 3.65% on the same period of 2025. China remained the largest market with 3.82 million, followed by Malaysia, India, Russia and South Korea.
The high season from November onwards is when most group programmes travel, so the year-to-date dip says little about peak-season availability in Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai. Popular properties still fill early for December and January.
Indonesia: Steady Growth
Indonesia recorded 8.98 million international arrivals from January to July 2026, up 5.23% on a year earlier and the highest for that period since 2020, according to Statistics Indonesia. July alone brought 1.52 million visitors. Bali remains the main entry point, and growth there is steady rather than sudden.
What the Shift Means for Your Quotes
A market that loses one large source market does not automatically become cheaper. Hotels in Japan may have more space on dates that were previously sold to Chinese groups, but that depends on the property and the date, and Japan's other markets are still growing. Ask for current availability rather than assuming it.
A market growing as fast as Korea needs earlier commitments. If your groups travel to Seoul or Jeju in peak weeks, confirm rooms and coaches sooner than you did last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Japan's arrivals fall in 2026?
Mainly because of China. Chinese arrivals fell sharply after a government travel advisory and cuts to air services, while most other markets grew.
Is Korea harder to book now?
In peak periods, yes. Record demand means popular hotels and dates fill earlier, so commit sooner for Seoul and Jeju.
Is Thailand quieter this year?
Year-to-date arrivals are slightly down, but the high season from November still fills. Treat peak dates as you would in any other year.
Where do these figures come from?
From each country's official releases: Korea's tourism ministry and KTO, JNTO for Japan, Thailand's official arrival count and Statistics Indonesia.
Where Explera Fits
We track availability in all four destinations and tell you where space is tight before you quote.
Write to b2b@expleradmc.com or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341).
