Taiwan welcomed almost 4.2 million international visitors in the first half
of this year — up about 10 percent from the same period last year.

The Tourism Administration says June alone saw over 600 thousand arrivals —
up over 6 percent from last year.

Japan led growth with more than 92 thousand visitors — an increase of nearly
22 percent — while arrivals from Hong Kong and South Korea slipped, partly
due to earthquake rumors and political uncertainty during South Korea’s
presidential election.

Meanwhile, visitors from mainland China nearly doubled, boosted by
"mini-three-links" travel to outlying islands like Kinmen and Matsu.

On the outbound side, more than 9.14 million Taiwanese traveled abroad in the
first six months — up 11 percent from last year — with Japan remaining the
top destination, followed by Mainland China and South Korea.

(IG)