Japan's inbound tourism has made a dramatic comeback since its opening, with the country now seeing a massive resurgence of visitor numbers, said Shinya “Billy” Kurosawa, president and CEO of JTB Group.
In January 2023, the recovery ratio for Japan’s tourism industry stood at about 56 per cent, including China mainland. Excluding China, the recovery ratio was at 76 per cent.
Kurosawa further shared that tourists are also spending more time in Japan, leading to a higher consumption ratio per person. Inflation in Japan is still relatively low, making the country an affordable destination for travellers. Although hotel rates are rising due to the high number of visitors, tourists are still spending money in Japan.
However, a shortage of manpower across the tourism industry is making it difficult for hotels to adjust their occupancy ratios. While occupancy rates at major hotels in Tokyo currently hover around 70%, they are struggling to meet the demands of visitors amid staff shortages in various departments such as F&B and housekeeping.
Despite these challenges, the demand for tourism in Japan is higher than ever, with bookings for the upcoming cherry blossom season breaking records for JTB Group.
Participants discussed the boundary between nature and ecotourism, whether mass visits to unique areas can remain safe, the responsibilities of investors, and how to prepare tourists for visiting specially protected natural areas.
The head of state expressed confidence that the Forum will be held at a high level, and that its results will contribute to the development of tourism in Russia and the expansion of humanitarian and business ties.
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