Northstar

TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA O F F I C I A L D A I L I E S www.travelweekly-asia.com 22 27 October 2017 The inbound travel sector in Japan has seen healthy growth over the past decade, with each passing year exceeding expectations for inbound international travel. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the estimated number of international travellers to Japan in July 2017 was 2.7 million (up a staggering 16.8% from the previous year). Between 2011 and 2015, Japan's tourism sector grew by 30%, with foreign visitors spending approximately US$14.1 billion in 2015, up an impressive 7.8% from the year before. The impressive figures have been driven in large part by the growth of China's economy (one of the largest markets in travel to the country); relaxed visa regulations; increased inbound and outbound air travel offerings; and the depreciation of the Yen. The upward trend is set to continue in the coming years. Securing the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, Japan's tourism industry is on track to become a major economic player in the country's economy in the next few years, particularly as it expects to welcome approximately 30.9 million visitors by 2020. With the forecasted spike in visitor statistics ahead of the games, Japan is pumping an estimated US$5 billion into the hotel industry with plans to invest millions more to renovate existing hotel rooms. On the ground "We are seeing a growing market for Japan due to several factors. The Japanese Yen has weakened against the US Dollar, thus travelling to Japan is considered more affordable. Another factor could be The Tokyo Big Sight conference tower will be the international broadcast centre and party venue for the Olympics By Brittany Panter Japan anticipates 30.9 million visitors for the Olympic action. Be greeted at check-in counters serviced by robots at the Henn-na Hotel in Urayasu Festivals that thrill The Nachi Fire Festival in Wakayama, one of three fire festivals in Japan, has celebrants setting ablaze 12 oversized pine torches that are carried up and down the shrine steps to purify and cleanse the spirits of the 12 deities believed to dwell there. Go off-the-beaten track Stay at an old Samurai residence in the Obi region of Miyazaki Prefecture; or visit the birthplace of karate and learn the martial art in Okinawa. The more adventurous may want to dive with an actual ama (a free-diving woman who gathers shellfish and seaweed by hand) in Ise-shima, Mie Prefecture. Savour the food Check out the Michelin Guide, which offers diners an up-to-date reference on the best places to eat across the country, including affordable offerings like Nakiryi, a Michelin star newcomer that serves ramen for as little as US$10. Stay with a robot Check in at the newly opened 100-room Henn-na Hotel near Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, the second branch of the first robot staffed hotel in the world. Robots handle everything from manning reception to bringing guests' luggage to their rooms. 2020 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER the current deflation in the economy resulting in cheaper prices." - AB. Sadewa, VP of brand and communication for Panorama Group. //////What's Happening Hot Numbers 24,039,700 foreign visitors to Japan in 2016 SOURCE: JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION 21.8% increase in visitors to Japan from 2015 to 2016 2020 is the year that Japan will host the Olympics 410 meetings hosted in Japan in 2016 SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS AND CONVENTION ASSOCIATION PHOT0 CREDIT: MORIO/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS PHOT0 CREDIT: HENN NA HOTEL

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