Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that international visitors to Japan in August 2016 were up 12.8% year on year to 2,049,200, which were record-high for August and resulted in over 2 million for two months in a row. The total for the first eight months of 2016 was up 24.7% to 16,059,500, exceeding 15 million two months earlier than the last year.
The market growth mainly resulted from an increase in cruise ships, extension of air network and effects of the consecutive promotional activities, according to JNTO.
The top market still was China with 677,000 visitors (+14.5%), followed by Korea with 458,900 (+17.4%) and Taiwan with 333,200 (+6.1%). Visitors from Italy and Spain in a summer vacation season were record-high, and those from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Canada resulted in monthly growths of 20% or higher.
In September 2016, JNTO expects more visitors from Southeast Asia or East Asia, where autumn holiday seasons begin, and also an increase in cruise ships and new flight services are continuously expected to contribute to market expansion.
In Japanese
