expression, noun
foreigner; foreign person
Polite way to refer to a person from another country. Often used in formal or customer-service contexts.
外国の方に道を聞かれた。
A foreign person asked me for directions.
このホテルは外国の方にも人気です。
This hotel is popular with foreign visitors as well.
Casual and sometimes considered blunt or derogatory. 外国の方 is the safe, polite alternative.
Compound of 外国 (foreign country) + の (possessive particle) + 方 (polite word for person).