29-Nov-2010 10:34 AM
Japan receives 6.8 million tourists in 2008; world tourism declined 4.2% in 2009
Japan National Tourism Organisation stated Japan received some 6.79 million tourists in 2008 making it the world's 33rd most frequently visited country in 2009 (Nikkei, 28-Nov-2010). Japan ranked 29th in 2008 with the decline in 2009 linked primarily with the yen's appreciation against other major currencies and the outbreak of a new type of swine flu, according to the JNTO. The number of cross-border tourists worldwide declined 4.2% year-on-year in 2009 to 880 million. France received the largest number of cross-border tourists at 74.2 million.