Can I change these sentences in this way?
1. "The graph shows the number of travellers from various parts of the world entering the UK for the years from 2002 to 2009."

Can I say "in the years from 2002 to 2009" instead of "for the years from 2002 to 2009", and why "for" is used?

2. "There were nearly 8 million Chinese visitors, similar to the figure for North America and just over double that for Japanese travellers."

What is the part of speech for the word "double" ?

Question

Can I change these sentences in this way?
1. "The graph shows the number of travellers from various parts of the world entering the UK for the years from 2002 to 2009."

Can I say "in the years from 2002 to 2009" instead of "for the years from 2002 to 2009", and why "for" is used?

2. "There were nearly 8 million Chinese visitors, similar to the figure for North America and just over double that for Japanese travellers."

What is the part of speech for the word "double" ?

Answer

For your second question, the word "double" in this case is saying that there were two times as many Chinese visitors.
Example: So if there were 8 million Chinese visitors, which was "double" that of Japanese visitors, it means there were around 4 million Japanese visitors.
Example: 2 is double 1. 4 is double 2.

Answer

Perhaps someone can give a more detailed explanation but here is my opinion.
1. I think it would sound better worded as such: "...UK from 2002 to 2009." Or "...UK from the years 2002 to 2009." If you were set on using one of the two ways you have mentioned, I would choose "for the years." Again, I can't give a technical explanation but basically because you are giving data FOR (about) a certain time period. You aren't giving that data IN (during) that time period. Although I could see someone wording it either way and it making sense.
2. No answer..sorry :(

Answer

because i dont really understand why 'for' is used, but I get the idea now, problem solved

Answer

Why do you want to change it? There is nothing wrong with it as written.