Foreign visitors' card spending in Seoul jumped nearly 58 percent from a year earlier in the first nine months of 2026, driven by a record number of visitors, city government data showed Tuesday. Foreigners spent 8.84 trillion won ($6.57 billion) using credit and debit cards in Seoul from January to September, up 57.7 percent from the same period last year, according to the data. The figure has already surpassed the annual total of 7.94 trillion won for 2025. By sector, shopping accounted for the largest share at 46 percent, followed by medical and wellness services at 23.8 percent. Food and beverages took up 13.3 percent, while accommodation accounted for 10.4 percent. By district, Gangnam Ward led spending with 29.6 percent of the total, followed by Jung Ward at 27.7 percent and Mapo Ward at 7.1 percent. Spending expanded in most areas across the city, with foreigners' card spending more than doubling in the Gangdong, Guro, Dongdaemun and Seongdong wards. While foreign spending in 10 major tourist spots, including Myeongdong, Gangnam and Seongsu, grew 57.2 percent on-year to 5.32 trilli