South Korea continues to strengthen its position as one of Asia's fastest-growing tourism markets, driven by the sharp recovery in international arrivals to Jeju Island and the INSPIRE Entertainment Resort's strategy to attract new overseas visitors through partnerships with the global travel industry. Together, these developments are reinforcing the country's foreigner-only casino sector and its long-term strategy to expand high-value tourism.
The Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO), led by President Ko Seung-cheol, reported that the island welcomed 5.64 million visitors between January and May 2026, representing a 9.8% year-on-year increase. International tourism was the main growth driver, with foreign arrivals rising by nearly 22% compared with the same period of 2025. In May alone, Jeju recorded 241,555 international visitors, up 12.6% year-on-year, while domestic tourism declined 7.1%. China regained its position as Jeju's largest inbound tourism market. The tourism strategy is being promoted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor Oh Young-hun, together with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), whose Acting President is Seo Young-chung, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, headed by Minister Yu In-chon.
The tourism rebound is directly benefiting Jeju's leading foreigner-only casinos, including Landing Casino at Jeju Shinhwa World, Jeju Dream Tower Casino operated by Lotte Tour Development, Paradise Casino Jeju Grand, Lotte Hotel Casino Jeju, Maison Glad Casino Jeju and Jeju Sun Casino, all of which continue to capitalize on the return of Chinese and other Asian visitors. Analysts at Shinhan Securities expect the recovery in inbound tourism to further support the performance of these integrated resorts throughout the second half of 2026.
Governor Oh Young-hun
INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, controlled by Bain Capital and led by CEO Ko Gyu-beom, hosted the Inbound Business Connect 2026 event on 8 July in partnership with the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA). The initiative brought together approximately 250 representatives from travel agencies, tour operators and tourism industry leaders to promote new travel packages, incentive programs for the resort's foreigner-only casino and new commercial partnerships aimed at increasing international visitation.
Ko Gyu-beom
Yuna Kim, AVP of Sales at INSPIRE, said that closer cooperation with the travel industry will play a key role in positioning the resort among Asia's leading integrated entertainment destinations. Opened in late 2023 next to Incheon International Airport, the resort features a foreigner-only casino, 1,275 hotel rooms across three hotel towers, a retail complex, the Splash Bay indoor water park, the Aurora immersive digital entertainment avenue, a convention center and the 15,000-seat INSPIRE Arena.
