Inbound
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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...
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SPACER and Seibu Holdings Launch Luggage Delivery Service Using Smart Lockers in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area
(Source : SPACER Inc.) SPACER Inc., in collaboration with Seibu Holdings Inc., has begun a trial of its luggage delivery service, "pikuraku PORTER in Tokyo," starting September 2, 2024, in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This service allows tourists to drop off their luggage at smart lockers installed at stations along the Seibu Railway line, from which it is delivered to their hotel on the same day. By simply placing their luggage in one of these lockers, users can travel freely without the burden of carrying their belongings, allowing them to enjoy sightseeing with ease. (Based on materials provided by SPACER Inc.) The service, known as "pikuraku PORTER," involves dropping off luggage at smart lockers located at stations within specified hours, after which it is delivered to the customer’s hotel on the same day. This service has already been launched in the Osaka and Onomichi areas, and the expansion into the Tokyo metropolitan area is expected to attract even more tourists. By reducing congestion and delays in public transportation during peak tourist periods, the service is also expected to contribute to easing issues related to overtourism. Additionally, local residents will benefit from minimized disruptions to their daily lives caused by an...
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Sharp Increase in Awareness of Dual Pricing for Inbound Tourists: Why Over 70% Now Support It
Loyalty Marketing, the company operating the common point service "Ponta," conducted a survey on dual pricing for inbound tourists, targeting individuals in their 10s to 60s. This survey, following a similar one conducted in February 2024, focused on the awareness of dual pricing, where prices for products and services are set higher for inbound tourists than for domestic residents.
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Keikyu Corporation and ecbo Form Capital and Business Alliance: Launch of Same-Day Baggage Delivery Pilot Program at Haneda Airport Terminal 3
(Source : ecbo Co., Ltd.) ecbo Co., Ltd. has entered into a capital and business alliance with Keikyu Corporation and has begun a pilot program for a "Same-Day Baggage Delivery Service for Inbound Foreign Tourists" at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station starting from August 19, 2024.
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【JNTO Announcement】Record-High Number of Inbound Visitors to Japan in July 2024: Major Markets, Led by China, Show Steady Recovery
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of inbound visitors to Japan in July 2024 reached 3,292,500, marking a 41.9% increase compared to the same month last year and a 10.1% increase compared to July 2019. This result surpasses the 2,991,189 visitors recorded in July 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, by approximately 300,000, setting a new record for the second consecutive month. The cumulative number of inbound visitors to Japan up until July 2024 has reached 21,069,900, surpassing the 20 million mark at the fastest pace ever recorded.
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Experience Japan’s Seasonal Traditions! Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel’s New Project “EXPLORE SHIBUYA”
（Source: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel） To respond to the growing demand from foreign visitors, Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel will pre-launch the "EXPLORE SHIBUYA" project starting August 7, 2024. Shibuya, a city where the bustling scramble crossing and Center Gai coexist with the serene Meiji Shrine and its sacred forest, is a tourist destination where cutting-edge trends intersect with traditional culture. Additionally, Shibuya attracts many with its live houses, museums, and theaters, making it an entertainment city. The "EXPLORE SHIBUYA" project aims to express the charm of this city as a "fusion of tradition and cutting-edge" and "exciting extraordinary experiences."
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JNTO Announcement: Record-High June with 3,135,600 Foreign Visitors to Japan
According to a JNTO announcement, the number of foreign visitors to Japan in June 2024 was 3,135,600, marking a 51.2% increase from the same month last year and an 8.9% increase compared to June 2019. This figure exceeds the 2,880,041 visitors in June 2019 by more than 250,000. Additionally, the cumulative number of foreign visitors in the first half of the year reached 17,777,200, surpassing the previous record high of the first half of 2019 by over one million.
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Number of Visitors to Japan in May 2024 Surpasses 3 Million for Three Consecutive Months! – JNTO Announcement
According to JNTO, the number of visitors to Japan in May 2024 reached 3,040,100, a 60.1% increase compared to the same month of the previous year, and a 9.6% increase compared to the same month in 2019. This figure exceeds the 2,773,091 visitors recorded in May 2019 by over 200,000, marking the third consecutive month that the number of visitors to Japan surpassed 3 million.