October 2024
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JAL and Hoshino Resorts Launch ‘Classics vs. Hidden Gems’ Campaign to Showcase Japan’s Regional Charms to Inbound Tourists
(Source: Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.) Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. and Hoshino Resorts have launched the “Classics vs. Hidden Gems Campaign,” aimed at promoting tourism resources beyond Japan’s major metropolitan areas for inbound tourists. This campaign seeks to alleviate overtourism and revitalize regional areas. According to a 2023 Accommodation Travel Statistics Survey by the Japan Tourism Agency, the number of foreign overnight stays reached approximately 117.75 million, surpassing 2019 levels. However, 73% of these were concentrated in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Fukuoka. In response, JAL and Hoshino Resorts are working together to encourage more visitors to explore other regions and reduce this concentration.
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Japan’s First Multilingual Front Desk Robot ‘ClerkBot’ Begins Pilot Test at Super Hotel in Osaka
U-NEXT HOLDINGS group company USEN-ALMEX and Super Hotel have started a pilot test for the introduction of the hotel front service robot "ClerkBot," developed by USEN-ALMEX with the cooperation of Super Hotel. The pilot test is being conducted at "Yumoto 'Hananoyu' Super Hotel Osaka Natural Hot Springs," which is operated by Super Hotel. During the test, one "ClerkBot" is operating as a front desk staff member at the hotel, handling guest check-ins and providing information about the hot springs and other facilities in four languages: Japanese, English, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. This service robot, which can move within the hotel while displaying facial expressions and using voice and subtitles to give multilingual guidance and handle check-in procedures, is the first of its kind in Japan.
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Booking.com Announces: Benefits of Multi-Generational Travel and Trending Destinations
(Source: Booking.com) Booking.com has released its latest survey, "Gen.Voyage!", which focuses on multi-generational family travel in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). The survey, conducted with over 8,000 internet users aged 16 to 64 from 11 countries and regions across APAC, including Japan, provides insights into multi-generational travel trends.
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Ryokan Kurashiki Acquires Sakura Quality Green Certification with ‘Three Gyoiko-Zakura’ Ranking – Strengthening Efforts Toward Sustainable Tourism
(Source: Anabuki Enterprise Co., Ltd.,) Ryokan Kurashiki, located in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and operated by Anabuki Enterprise Co., Ltd., received the Sakura Quality Green Certification with a "Three Gyoiko-Zakura" ranking on September 20, 2024. This certification is part of a quality assurance and improvement program aimed at promoting environmental protection and sustainability within the tourism industry. The certification signifies that the ryokan is committed to sustainability and contributing to the local community. With the growing demand from inbound tourism, this certification serves as an important benchmark for travelers looking for environmentally responsible accommodations.
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Inbound Demand from China During the National Day Holiday: Exploring Travel Destinations and Consumer Trends
Intersect Communications Inc. conducted a survey on travel consumption during the 2024 National Day holiday, targeting residents in China. The results were released just before the holiday. This survey was carried out between September 5 and 6, 2024, using Tencent's messaging app "WeChat" via its survey function. A total of 556 respondents from ten cities participated, including 135 men and 421 women.
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The Current State and Challenges of the Tourism Industry Supported by Inbound Demand: An Analysis of Trends in 2024
The autumn tourism season is expected to bring a surge of visitors to popular destinations across Japan during the two consecutive three-day weekends in September 2024. Since the reclassification of COVID-19 as a Category 5 infectious disease in May 2023, the tourism industry has seen a recovery surpassing 2019 levels. However, concerns over natural disasters, such as the Noto Peninsula earthquake, heavy rains in July, and the Nankai Trough Earthquake emergency warnings following the Hyuga-nada earthquake, remain prevalent. Despite these challenges, the growing demand from inbound tourists continues to support the industry.
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Repurposing Vacant Homes in Tokorozawa City: Spotlight on Mikajima District as a Hub for Inbound Tourism
(Source : Sanpuku Co., Ltd.) The year 2024 has been called "the year of recovery for overseas travel," with inbound tourism for April to June expected to increase by 7.4% compared to the same period in 2019, which saw the highest numbers before the pandemic. This suggests a strong recovery trend in the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan, with further growth anticipated. One notable feature of inbound demand in 2024 is the growing interest not only in traditional tourist destinations along the Golden Route but also in lesser-known areas with rich natural environments and opportunities for outdoor activities. As a result, there is a rising demand for tourist destinations that highlight the unique attractions and characteristics of each region.
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JNTO Announcement: August 2024 Foreign Visitors to Japan Reach 2.93 Million, Setting Record for Seven Consecutive Months
According to JNTO, the number of foreign visitors to Japan in August 2024 reached 2,933,000, marking a 36% increase compared to the same month in the previous year and a 16.4% increase compared to August 2019. This result surpasses the pre-COVID-19 figure of 2,520,134 visitors in August 2019 by approximately 40,000 people, setting a record for the highest number of visitors for the same month for seven consecutive months. (Created based on JNTO data) The number of foreign visitors in August 2024 increased by about 780,000 compared to August 2023, recording a growth rate of 36%. It also showed a 16.4% increase compared to August 2019. However, when compared to July 2024, the number of visitors in August decreased by about 360,000. In previous years, a comparison of July and August data from 2023 and 2019 shows a trend where July tends to have more visitors, with a difference of approximately 170,000 and 40,000, respectively. In contrast, the difference of 360,000 in 2024 between July and August is notably large. Despite exceeding the numbers from previous years, the overall trend for 2024 shows a decline, indicating the need for continued adjustments in tourism policies and promotions to ensure stable visitor...