The tourism deficit is expected to persist through the end of the year as spending by Koreans traveling abroad continues to surpass that of foreign visitors coming to Korea.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization said Tuesday that Korea took in $8.4 billion from foreign visitors as of the end of July, but overseas spending by Koreans was slightly higher at $8.9 billion, posting a deficit of $500 million.

Some 6.3 million tourists entered the country from January to July, up 22 percent from the same period last year, but nearly 8 million Koreans traveled overseas.

The total number of tourists visiting Korea so far this year is anticipated to hit the 10-million mark next month.