In June 2015, Japan welcomed 462,300 visitors from China (+167.2% year on year), 345,200 visitors from Taiwan (+35.8%), 251,500 visitors from Korea (+21.2%) and 137,000 visitors from Hong Kong (+75.4%), according to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). China was the biggest international market, and all of four markets resulted in record-high for not only June but also the first half (January to June 2015) in total.
In Korea, the monthly growth rate was smaller than before maybe because of an off-season in June and negative influence from MERS, however JNTO expects the Korean market is growing in this summer, seeing increase in bookings of airlines and travel companies for Japan.
In China growth of cruise travel and open of several new air routes from local cities are expected to contribute to expansion of the China market.
In Taiwan, the monthly growth resulted from weak yen, additional air services and joint promotions with LCC. In Hong Kong, extension of the air network and shift of travelers from expensive mid-summer to pre-summer contributed to the monthly growth.
JNTO also analyzed that many travelers in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong changed their destinations from Korea under the MERS crisis to Japan in June 2015.
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