A record-high 7 million foreign tourists came to Korea this year, a considerable achievement just four years after the nation broke the six million mark, according to figures released by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).

The number of tourists represents a 14 percent increase from the previous year, coming at a significant time, as tourism in neighboring countries such as Japan is in decline due to the global economic downturn and fears over the H1N1 virus.

Japanese tourists topped the list of foreign visitors at nearly 2.8 million, or nearly 40 percent, followed by Chinese at 17 percent and Americans at eight percent.

KTO says that shopping tops the list for choosing Korea as a travel destination with almost 50 percent of tourists coming for that reason. Myeong-dong, one of Seoul’s most famous shopping districts, was chosen as the most popular spot.

Officials are linking the increase in tourism to the depreciation of the Korean won. According to KTO, each foreign visitor spends an average of US$ 1,200 per visit.

KTO expects tourism revenue to reach $9 billion by the end of this year and aims to attract ten million visitors per year by 2012.