Economy

KYUSHUU: Tourists hit record

By Japino

Posted on October 26, 2023

FOREIGN VISITORS IN KYUSHU, RECORD HIGH
Foreign visitors to Kyushu exceeded 2 million for the first time in 4 years, a record high, recovering to 94.9% compared to 2018.

Preliminary figures through September show that the number of foreigners who entered Kyushu from various airports and ports this year exceeded 2 million for the first time in four years.

According to the Kyushu District Transport Bureau, the number of foreigners who entered through airports and ports in Kyushu from January to September this year was approximately 2.16 million, exceeding 2 million for the first time in 4 years.

This is mainly due to a recovery in the number of visitors to Japan from Asia as a result of the significant relaxation of waterfront measures for the new Coronavirus.

Preliminary figures for September also show a recovery to 94.9% of the same month in 2018, when the annual number of arrivals reached a record high, which is believed to be due to China’s lifting of its ban on group travel to Japan.

The Kyushu District Transport Bureau also expects an increase in October due to the international bicycle road race “Tour de Kyushu” and the major National Day holiday in China.