Thais still keen on Japan

Outbound jump of 8.2% this year

- NARUMON KASEMSUK

The number of Thais visiting Japan posted growth of 8.2% in the first eight months as the market rebounded from a two-month slump with a 2.4% uptick in August.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes new flights to Sendai will help maintain the positive flow of Japanese arrivals to Thailand.

The tally of Thais visiting Japan in the first eight months was 764,600, up 8.2% after slightly dropping by 4.6% and 9.1% in June and July, respectively, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, deputy governor of international marketing for Asia and South Pacific at the TAT, said traffic between the two countries remained strong with new routes planned for the high season.