2015.04.20
Miyako sees 7.5% increase in number of tourists
The number of tourists visiting Miyako Island during fiscal 2014 increased by 30,159 (7.5 %) from the previous fiscal year to 430,550, the highest ever.
Miyako tourism officials had expected the withdrawal of the training camp of the Orix Buffaloes, a Japanese professional baseball team, to cause a decrease in the number of visitors to the island, but that turned out not to be the case.
Officials analyzing the numbers cited the increase in new charter flights and the opening of the Irabu Bridge as factors contributing to the increase. The number of tourists surpassed the figures of the previous year every month expect in December. They concluded that the recognition of Miyako Island has increased, and will continue to attract more and more tourists.