Latest news with #JapanNationalTourismOrganization
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Japan tourism launches campaign for GCC travelers
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has launched a new integrated media campaign in the GCC, aimed at encouraging future repeat travel to Japan by showcasing destinations beyond popular cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. This initiative focuses on promoting visits to new areas of Japan that are still less well known in the GCC countries, contributing to the diversification of travel experiences. As interest in Japan continues to grow throughout the GCC, JNTO's efforts come at a time of record-breaking visitor numbers. In 2024, the number of visitors to Japan from the six GCC countries reached an all-time high of 44,661—marking a 34.5% increase from the previous year. In the first half of 2025, arrivals have continued at an even stronger pace, with a 20.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024—further underlining Japan's rising popularity in the Middle East. While first-time visitors to Japan typically explore Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, this campaign encourages seasoned travelers to explore new regions such as Hokkaido, offering cool summer weather, dynamic outdoor experiences, and high-quality accommodations ideal for luxury travelers. The island's natural bounty also brings exceptional culinary experiences, with locally sourced seafood, dairy, and produce. Additionally, Hokkaido provides an opportunity to learn about the unique traditions of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan. Kobayashi Daisuke, Executive Director of JNTO Dubai Office, said, "With the continued growth in visitor numbers, we believe it is time to move our promotional efforts in the GCC market to the next phase. Hokkaido is the perfect summer destination for travelers from this region—its cool weather, rich natural beauty, fresh gourmet cuisine, and luxurious accommodations make it an ideal escape from the heat."
17-07-2025
International Visitors to Japan Hit 20 Million in First Half of 2025
Japan had 20 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, reaching this total in the fastest time ever. The official tally was 21,518,100 as of the end of June. The Japan National Tourism Organization announced that 3,377,800 visitors came to Japan in June 2025, which was an increase of 7.6% compared with the same period in 2024 and set a new record for the month. It was the ninth consecutive month to log more than 3 million visitors. Chinese tourists lead the way at 797,900 (up 19.9% compared with June 2024), followed by visitors from South Korea at 729,800 (up 3.8%), Taiwan at 585,000 (up 1.8%), and the United States at 345,100 (up 16.4%). New records of visitors were set in June for 15 of the 23 countries and regions that are Japan's major tourist markets, including the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore. However, baseless rumors circulating online of a major disaster set to take place in July were shared widely in Hong Kong, resulting in a drop of 33.4% in visitor numbers to 166,800. Data sources (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo: Tourists take pictures wearing kimonos. © Reuters.)
The Star
17-07-2025
- The Star
Japan sees record 21.5 million tourists in first six months
The surge in visitors has created various challenges for Japan, including overtourism. - Photo: AFP TOKYO: A record 21.5 million tourists visited Japan in the first six months of the year, a 21-percent increase year-on-year, official figures showed Wednesday (July 16), despite visitors from Hong Kong dropping by a third over rumours of a quake. "The number exceeded 20 million in six months, the fastest pace ever," the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said in a statement. The figure in June alone jumped 7.6 percent to record 3.4 million, due to "increased demand to coincide with school holidays," it said. The number was boosted by a jump year-on-year in tourists from China, South Korea, Singapore, India, the United States and Germany. But the number of travellers from Hong Kong plunged 33.4 percent, with the JNTO citing online rumours warning of a huge quake in Japan. People from Hong Kong made nearly 2.7 million trips to Japan in 2024. Although it is impossible to know exactly when earthquakes will hit, fear-inducing predictions have spread widely among the Chinese city's residents. Some posts cited a Japanese manga comic that predicts a major natural disaster in July 2025 -- based on the author's dream. Japanese authorities have repeatedly said the rumours are false. The government has set an ambitious target of almost doubling tourist numbers to 60 million annually by 2030. Authorities say they want to spread tourists more evenly around the country, and to avoid a bottleneck of visitors eager to snap spring cherry blossoms or vivid autumn colours. But as in other global tourist magnets like Venice in Italy, there has been a growing pushback from residents in destinations such as the ancient capital of Kyoto. - AFP
Japan Today
16-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Japan sees record 22 mil foreign visitors in 1st half of 2025
Foreign tourists are seen in Tokyo's Asakusa area on July 16. Japan saw a record 21.5 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2025, government data showed Wednesday, with travel demand remaining strong even outside peak seasons. Visitor numbers for the first six months of the year topped the previous record of 17.78 million set a year earlier, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. The number of foreign visitors in June totaled 3.38 million, up 7.6 percent from a year earlier and the highest ever for the month. By country and region, South Korea accounted for the highest number of visitors in the first half of the year at 4.8 million, followed by China at 4.7 million and Taiwan at 3.3 million. All markets exceeded their figures from the previous year, with China seeing a notable 53.5 percent increase. The surge in visitors has created various challenges for Japan, including overtourism affecting the quality of life for locals in popular destinations. Meanwhile, spending by foreign visitors in the April-June quarter totaled around 2.5 trillion yen ($16.8 billion), up 18.0 percent from the same period a year earlier, according to estimates from the Japan Tourism Agency. Chinese visitors led spending, accounting for 20.4 percent of the total at 516 billion yen, followed by Americans at 357 billion yen and Taiwanese at 292 billion yen. Visitors to Japan spent around 239,000 yen per person on average, with Britons spending the most at around 444,000 yen, followed by Italians at 398,000 yen and Germans at 396,000 yen. © KYODO
Skift
16-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Japan Sets Another Visitor Record as Its Tourism Surges Continues
Japan is eager to attract even more visitors, but effectively managing mass tourism is becoming just as important for the government as hitting its visitor targets. Japan's tourism boom is showing no signs of slowing down. The country saw 21.5 million visitors in the first half of 2025, a 21% jump from last year and a record high for the period, the Japan National Tourism Organization announced on Wednesday. Tourist spending in the first six months of the year also reached new heights — $32.2 billion (4.8 trillion yen), a roughly 23% year-over-year increase. While South Korea represented the largest source of visitors with 4.78 million travelers, a 7.7% increase from last year, China registered a notable surge in travel to Japan — a 53.5% jump to 4.71 million visitors. In addition, Japan saw double-digit percentage increases in visitors from Taiwan and the U.S. However, the number of visitors from Hong Kong fell by a third to 166,800 following unfounded predictions that a mega earthquake would hit Japan, which drove some airlines to cancel flights from Hong Kong to Japan. The ongoing visitor surge comes as the Japanese government launched on Tuesday an administrative body aimed at easing citizens' concerns about the rise in the number of foreign residents, including the impact of mass tourism. Japan set a new record with 36.8 million visitors last year, and the country has set its sights on attracting 60 million tourists annually by 2030. Skift reported last month that Japanese officials have outlined plans that will require all tourists to have private health insurance, a measure that would aim to curb the growing problem of foreign visitors receiving medical treatment and leaving the country without paying. Japan's Top Tourism Source Markets (1) South Korea: 4.78 million visitors, +7.7% (2) China, 4.71 million visitors, +53.5% (3) Taiwan, 3.28 million visitors, +10.3% (4) United States, 1.7 million visitors, +26.7% (5) Hong Kong, 1.27 million visitors, -0.4%
