Till 30th October, the number of foreign tourists to Japan crossed 20 million this year thereby reaching an annual record high. The new was declared by the Tourism, Transport, Infrastructure and Land Ministry on Monday. The relaxed visa formalities are believed to drive the growth of tourist from Asian countries like China, apart from the creation of new airline routes.
Furthermore, the increase in the number of flights and also the rising number of visits by cruise vessels are said to driving this growth.
The government of Japan is aiming to draw in at least 40 million foreign tourists by 2020 when the Paralympic and Tokyo Olympic Games are held. And, the government hopes to attract about 60 million tourists within the year 2030.
For the very first time in 2013, the number of foreign travellers reached the 10 million milestone.
Last year, this number reached to 19.73 million that marks quite a sharp increase over the last few years. The central and local governments have strengthened their efforts to encourage travel to Japan. It has targeted mainly the Asian nations. The Asian countries witnessing steady growth comprises a growing number of middle-income groups who are really eager to travel that is boosting the foreign tourist arrival in Japan.
The highest ever monthly figure was recorded at 2.29 million in July.
And, every year, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has increased every month, right from January till September, as mentioned by the ministry.
Between the period of January till September, the number of tourists from China has been the highest that is about 50,07,2000. This marks a rise by 30.5% from the same period in 2015. Though the passion for shopping among tourists has slowed down to some extent, the average number of foreign tourists continue to be on the upwards slope.
This was followed by South Korea that boasted of 37,19,400 tourists that recorded a rise of about 30.2% and Taiwan with 32,33,500 that is an increase of about 16.7%.
The visitors from United States has been about 9,14,500, up by 20.6% and Britain about 2,16,200 that is a rise by 13%.
The Japan Tourism Agency has said that the effects of Japan’s tourism of the April earthquakes that had struck the Kumamoto Peninsula were limited.
