The Land of the Rising Sun attracts tourists

Japan's tourism industry had an impressive May with 3.04 million international visitors, marking the third consecutive month exceeding the 3 million mark. According to official figures released, the number of international tourists in May increased by 60.1% compared to the same period last year, contributing to a strong boost for Japan's tourism economy - which is on the way to recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourists view cherry blossoms in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: JAPAN TIMES

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the sharp increase in international tourists is attributed to a number of factors, including the depreciation of the yen, which makes products and services cheaper for international tourists, stimulating them to spend more, and an increase in the number of flights and ships from East Asia.

Tourists to Japan mainly come from more than 12 countries and regions, including South Korea and the United States. Data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) shows that the total number of tourists from January to May was 14.64 million, up 6.5% compared to the same period in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

By country and territory, South Korea leads with 738,800 arrivals, up 43.3% year-on-year and up 22.4% from 2019. Next are Chinese tourists, with 545,400 arrivals, more than four times the same period last year but still down 27.9% from 2019. Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Ichiro Takahashi said that with the current growth rate, Japan expects the number of international visitors this year to exceed the record 31.88 million arrivals recorded in 2019.

Innovation and increased investment in tourism products make the image of Japan increasingly attractive. Developing transport infrastructure, connecting tourist destinations with highway systems, restoring and developing traditional local tourism industries have become bright spots in Japanese tourism.

The promotion of high-tech applications in tourism development is also emphasized. Japan applies technology to support the process of receiving documents and issuing visas, implementing a visa exemption policy for 68 countries and territories. Japan also builds new tourism corridors, allowing tourists to travel to all parts of the country.

To support the above policy, Japan Railways (JR) has issued the "Japan Railway Pass" to help foreign tourists travel more easily and conveniently in Japan. This is a special ticket that allows you to freely get on and off all trains and buses nationwide operated by JR, including Shinkansen, at the most economical cost.

However, in addition to bringing huge economic benefits to Japan, the tourism industry is also causing trouble for the country, in which the most prominent problem is the problem of foreign tourist overload. This is emphasized in the Japan Tourism White Paper 2024 recently announced by the Japanese Government . Foreign tourists are too concentrated in big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya... causing overload and some problems such as traffic jams, littering, and unauthorized entry into private areas to take photos.

Starting from March this year, the Japan Tourism Agency has selected 20 areas with a large number of tourists to pilot a model to handle the situation of overtourism. The Japan Tourism White Paper emphasizes that in the coming time, the Japanese Government will support localities to overcome the above situation, and on the other hand, will continue to promote attracting foreign tourists to Japan for entertainment and shopping.

SOUTH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/xu-so-mat-troi-moc-hap-dan-du-khach-post745829.html