The number of foreign tourists visiting Fukuoka airport in 2014 reached 884,143 (+28.6% year-on-year), topping the number of Japanese leaving the airport (837,914) for the first time ever. A massive uptick in foreign visitors on the back of the weak yen and an increase in the number of low-cost carrier routes has been a boon for the airport, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and it is already on pace this year to break the 2014 record. More than 90% of the Fukuoka-bound foreign tourists hail from Asia, with Korea (414,000), Taiwan (168,000) and China (72,000) taking the top three spots. According to Immigration Bureau statistics,the numbers of foreign tourists arriving at other major airports throughout Kyushu, including Kitakyushu, Saga and Kagoshima Airports, have also outstripped the number of departing Japanese passengers. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 9/1
(Photo: provided by the City of Fukuoka)
