Optimistic trends and records of inbound tourism in Japan in 2024

Japan's inbound tourism industry is expecting a successful year, with ski resorts and hotels in top destinations fully booked. The optimism is explained by a report by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), according to which 25.07 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2023, which is six times more than in the previous year.

Even though the number of arrivals in November and December 2023 was lower than before the pandemic in 2019, it still exceeded the figures for 2019. This was reported by newsbytesapp.com.

Increase in travel

Naomi Mano, president and CEO of an inbound travel firm, said that the full opening of Japan was significantly delayed due to the government's comparison of the coronavirus to Ebola until last May. However, the recovery is to be commended, and the depreciation of the yen has unexpectedly boosted Japan's position as an affordable destination.

Positive exchange rate

In February 2022, the yen was worth approximately 115 per US dollar, but by October it had fallen to 150. This depreciation is attributed to the sequence of interest rate hikes implemented by the US Federal Reserve. Mano noted the current positive situation, emphasizing that many customers are spending more than before thanks to the favorable exchange rate.

Growth of low-cost travel

Affordable travel costs within Japan have led to an increase in budget-conscious tourists. This surge is putting pressure on accommodation and transportation services, which is causing concern in popular destinations such as Kyoto. There are fears that locals may soon voice complaints about the problems associated with over-tourism due to lower travel costs.

Changes in consumer behavior

A positive trend indicates a change in consumer behavior, with travelers finding more value for their spending than in previous instances. Similarly, statistics indicate that foreign tourists spent 5.29 trillion yen in 2023, surpassing the annual figure of 5 trillion yen for the first time.

Statistics

According to JNTO statistics, in 2023, South Korea led the way in terms of foreign visitors with 6.96 million visitors, six times more than the previous year. This was followed by Taiwan, which brought in 4.20 million visitors.

China and Hong Kong also made significant contributions to Japan's tourism development with 2.43 million and 2.11 million visitors, respectively. The United States provided more than 2.05 million travelers.