What:
In June, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) recorded its highest-ever number of monthly visitors from the U.S. at 87,900. Japan also set a six month U.S. visitor record of 446,000 that month.
Why It Matters:
According to the JNTO, since the financial crisis in 2008, overall international recovery of tourism numbers has been slow, but the U.S. market has shown consistent growth. Due in part to Japan’s tourism campaigns and increased direct flights from the U.S. to Japan, the increase in traffic shows a strong relationship between the U.S. and Japan. With the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and Kyoto topping Travel + Leisure’s list of World’s Best Cities this year, the trend is likely to continue and spread to other markets.
Fast Facts:
- April and May were also record months for U.S. visitors to Japan.
- Kyoto was Travel + Leisure’s number one pick of top ten cities, overall and within Asia.
- Another motivating factor for U.S. visitors is the favorable exchange rate for the US dollars against the Japanese yen.
- Japan is preparing for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo by promoting attractions such as high speed train travel, regional cuisine and historic sites around the country.
What They Are Saying:
“It is a very exciting fact the continuous growth of Japan tourism in the US market, and it is a great accomplishment for JNTO offices in the U.S. to reach the record high number,” said Yuki Tanaka, executive director of JNTO. “Not to mention the economic impacts, the U.S. visitors are also quite influential to the Japanese tourism industry because the U.S. travelers are keen on high quality artisanship and crafts, which eventually leads international attention to Japan’s history of high quality of craftsmanship and cultural richness. The overall trend of international travel market in the U.S. is also showing the sign of growth again, we would like to expect more favorable results and growth in Japan tourism in the second half of 2014.”
