UK
Australia
Latest News
Thursday, 21st August 2014
In Japan Travel News,
Number of July visitors to Japan soars
Visitor numbers to Japan for the month of July have attained new heights, it has been announced, with more people than ever before travelling to the country last month to take in the sights or for business purposes.
This is according to a press release from the Japan National Tourism Organisation, which stated that figures had surged 26.6 per cent for July 2014, compared with those for July 2013.
The agency said that an estimated 1.27 million foreigners entered the country, representing a record high for any single month. It added that increased international flights to Tokyo's Haneda Airport and a greater number of charter flights from Asian countries had contributed to the increase.
A weakness in the yen and new visa exemptions for short-term visitors from Thailand and Malaysia has also contributed to rising interest, as well as the fact that Tokyo will be hosting the 2020 Olympic Games.
According to the statistics, the number of visitors from neighbouring China saw the greatest increase, doubling to 271,200. Taiwan also proved popular, jumping 17.1 per cent to 279,300.
Records show that this is the 18th consecutive month that the estimated number of tourists has improved, like for like.
The news will no doubt be welcomed by the Japanese government, which is aiming to increase the number of tourists to the country to 20 million a year by 2020, in time for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Last year, Japan welcomed 10.4 million foreign visitors, beating its target of ten million for the first time. Prime minister Shinzo Abe is particularly keen on using tourism to boost the nation's economy, with plans afoot to raise tourism numbers to 30 million by 2030.
Inside Japan UK office
Inside Japan US office
Inside Japan Australia office
Inside Japan - Japan office
