Japan posts another tourist arrivals record in May
Tourism arrivals to Japan reached another record high in May, up 3.7% year on year to 2.7 million.
It was an all-time record for the month of May with increases from the US, Europe and Russia, as well as established markets in Asia.
Visitor traffic from top market China was up more than 13% to 756,000, although South Korea declined by 5.8%, according to data from the Japan Tourism Agency.
Other key markets Singapore and Taiwan also showed declines although it was partly offset by big double-digit increases in travellers from Vietnam and Russia.
Citing the decline in the Korean market, JTA commissioner Hiroshi Tabata said: "The environment of competition is tough."
Japan has welcomed nearly 14 million tourist arrivals so far in the first five months of 2019, which is up 4%.
The goal is for 40 million foreign visitors in 2020 when the Tokyo Olympics is held.
The agency is stepping up marketing efforts for the Olympics as well as for this year’s Rugby World Cup.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026