LOC17:31
14:31 GMT
TOKYO, May 24 (KUNA) -- The number of foreign visitors to Japan has
recovered to the levels seen before last year's March 11 earthquake, tsunami
and the subsequent nuclear crisis, the government said on Thursday.
An estimated 780,800 foreigners arrived in Japan in April on sightseeing or
business, up 163.9 percent from a year earlier, nearly the same level as in
April 2010 when 788,200 travelers visited the country, according to the Japan
National Tourism Organization.
Among the countries, the number of Thai travelers surged 409.9 percent to
an all-time high of 40,800, while those from Hong Kong posted a 665.5 percent
year-on-year increase to 44,200, the tourism bureau said, adding that the
number of travelers from India, Indonesia and Vietnam hit a record high for
the month of April.
The triple disasters slashed the number of foreign visitors to 295,800 in
April last year for the biggest fall since records began in 1964.
Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Norifumi Ide said foreign travelers are
coming back to Japan. Ide also said the agency plans to launch a new campaign
to attract foreign tourists, including a visit to Tokyo Skytree, the world's
tallest tower that was opened to the public this month. (end)
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KUNA 241731 May 12NNNN