Daily Archives: October 17, 2024

Japan Tourism Sets Yet Another Record As Visitor Spending Exceeds Last Year’s High

Skift Take
The tourism sun is shining bright over Japan as visitor numbers and revenues reach an all-time high in 2024. The challenge: sustaining the growth through 2025.

Peden Doma Bhutia

Foreign visitor spending in Japan in the first nine months of this year surpassed 2023’s full-year record of JPY 5.3 trillion ($35 billion).

International tourists spent JPY 5.8 trillion yen ($39 billion) between January and September 2024, according to data from the Japan Tourism Agency.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals fell just short of 27 million as of September 30, as per preliminary figures from Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). In September alone, the number of foreign tourists almost touched 3 million. The 3.29 million arrivals in July this year was an all-time high for any month.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) had earlier forecast that international visitor spending is expected to set new records this year to reach JPY 6.3 trillion ($42 billion). By 2034, the sector is expected to contribute nearly JPY 48.64 trillion ($320 billion) annually to Japan’s GDP, representing 7.9% of the economy.

JLL’s Hotel Investment report released on Wednesday, noted, “Japan has been the most active market regionally and will remain so for the coming 12-18 months, driven by a positive spread over borrowing, robust tourism fundamentals and a weak yen.”

Source: JNTO

The Biggest Spenders

In the July-September quarter, foreign visitor spending on accommodation, shopping and other travel-related expenses rose to JPY 1.9 trillion ($13 billion), compared to JPY 1.4 trillion ($9.4 billion) during the same period in 2023, according to the agency.

The April-June quarter had registered a record high spending of JPY 2.1 trillion ($14 billion).

Visitors from the Chinese mainland spent the most in the third quarter, totaling JPY 517.7 billion ($3.4 billion) followed by the Taiwan region, South Korea and the U.S.

The average spending per visitor between July and September was JPY 223,000 ($1490), compared to JPY 163,000 ($1089) during the same period in 2019. Italians topped the average spending list, with a spend of JPY 400,000 ($2672) per person.

Where Are The Tourists Coming From?

In September, 2.87 million tourists visited Japan, slightly below the 2.93 million arrivals in August.

Visitor arrivals from China touched 5.2 million in the first nine months of the year, up 228% compared to the same period last year. In September alone 652,300 Chinese tourists traveled to Japan.

The recently-released Dragon Trail Chinese Traveler Sentiment Report mentioned that Chinese travelers perceive Japan as one of the safest outbound travel destinations.

Mainland China is now the second largest source market for Japan, just below South Korea’s 6.48 million arrivals between January and September. The U.S. with 1.9 million arrivals also features among the top 5 source markets, along with Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Though small, visitor numbers from Russia have also more than doubled year-on-year, reaching 64,000 for the January-September period.

Source: JNTO

Boosting Air Connectivity

Japan’s record-breaking tourism numbers have also been supported by the increase in flight capacity and lowering airfares.

Besides direct flights to major Japanese cities, China Eastern Airlines also operates direct flights from Shanghai to regional locations including Shizuoka, Okayama and Komatsu.

Chinese budget carrier Spring Airlines which operates direct flights connecting Shanghai to Takamatsu and Saga in Japan, earlier said that flight capacity on the two routes has exceeded 90%.

The average ticket price of Japan-bound flights has also fallen by more than 30% since last year, according to Ctrip.

Later this month, Korean Air will relaunch its Seoul Incheon-Nagasaki route for the winter season after a break of more than 11 years. The airline announced last month that it would be expanding its Japanese network, as its flights to this market exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Earlier this year, Air Canada launched a new nonstop service between Osaka and Toronto.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Japan Airlines last month also introduced an exclusive offer for international travelers from some countries, including U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Singapore, Thailand and others: complimentary domestic flights to any destination within Japan when booking an international flight with JAL.

Skyscanner taps into the Year of Collective Travel Experiences

Skyscanner unveiled its annual travel trends report in Toronto last night (Oct. 26, 2024), providing insight into the behaviour and spending of Canadian travellers in the coming year.
Hosted by Skyscanner’s Gemma Jamieson at AP Yorkville, travel trade types had a chance to sample the culinary wonders of Chef Antonio Park while exploring some of the insights and trends in Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Trends Report.
Jamieson walked her audience through the findings on both trending and best value destinations and 7 travel trends for the coming year uncovered in the report.
What becomes immediately clear in Skyscanner’s findings is that Canadians are increasingly drawn to culturally and historically rich destinations for 2025, seeking immersive experiences that combine natural beauty, unique traditions, and vibrant local cultures.
Skyscanner’s top 10 destinations with the biggest year-on-year increase in searches include:

1. Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos, +713% search increase
2. Cusco, Peru: +163% search increase
3. Krabi, Thailand: +158% search increase
4. Madeira, Portugal: +153% search increase
5. Okinawa, Japan: +145% search increase
6. Tromsø, Norway: +127% search increase
7. Marrakesh, Morocco: +123% search increase
8. Florence, Italy: +115% search increase
9. San Antonio, USA: +99% search increase
10. Colorado Springs, USA: +94% search increase

Skyscanner also reported that the top factors that determine Canadians’ choice of a holiday destination include:

The cost of flights (71%)
The cost of hotels (64%)
The cost of food and drink (37%)

As for the cheapest destinations, Skyscanner’s top 10 list includes:

1. Florence, Italy: -29% price drop
2. Faro, Portugal: -28% price drop
3. Bogota, Colombia: -28% price drop
4. Madeira, Portugal: -28% price drop
5. Quito, Ecuador: -27% price drop
6. Reykjavik, Iceland: -21% price drop
7. Paris, France: -20% price drop
8. Rome, Italy: -19% price drop
9. Oslo, Norway: -18% price drop
10. Barcelona, Spain: -17% price drop

Skyscanner also found that despite today’s economic challenges, demand for trips remains strong. In fact, Canadians continue to prioritize their travel plans and budgets, with 83% intending to travel as much or more in 2025. However, finding the best value remains a key consideration.
For 62% of Canadians, the cost of flights is one of the most important factors, with many budgeting the same or more for airfare in 2025 compared to last year. Spending on accommodation and car rentals is also expected to rise, with planned budget increases of 32% and 15%, respectively.
(Canadians can stay ahead of the curve by signing up for Skyscanner’s Price Alerts).

Skyscanner’s 2025 report also uncovered seven key trends, all fuelled by the desire to find community and enjoy the freedom to truly be yourself while discovering new ways to explore the globe:

Sport Mode: Passion for sport is influencing how travellers, especially younger ones, explore a destination. 65% of 25-34-year-olds are looking to explore a new place by running or cycling, while 21% of all Canadian travellers plan to attend or participate in a sporting event while on vacation.
Astro-Adventures: Astro-tourism combines the adventure of exploring celestial events alongside the mystical insights of astrology. Canadians are eager to stargaze, with 56% of Canadians hoping to get a glimpse of the Nothern Lights during their travel, 33% are planning a vacation around witnessing a Lunar or Solar Eclipse.
Reset-Jetters: The rise of health, resilience and longevity tourism. There’s a generational divide in approaches to health and wellbeing: 45% of 24-34-year-olds are more likely to take a health-conscious approach to their holidays compared to 37% of 65-year-olds and over.
Art-Venture: Art and culture have long been a favourite motivation to travel. Today, 53% of Canadian travellers say culture is the most important reason for choosing a holiday destination.
Cowboy Core: Yee-haw! 35% of Canadian travellers are fans of Cowboy Core, rising to 56% among 18-24-year-olds. Over a quarter (36%) are eager to experience the simplicity of a farm stay, while 43% would like to dine around a campfire.
Horti-Culture: Canadian travellers are a green-fingered bunch. A significant 71% plan to visit gardens while on vacation and notably 45% say gardening tops their list of leisure activities, beating painting (25%) and playing a musical instrument (19%).
Gami-Vacation: Building on last year’s trend of ‘Main character energy’ – where travellers step inside the shoes of their favourite TV and film characters – 34% of Canadian travellers are inspired to book a trip abroad based on locations from their favourite video game.

To review the full report, CLICK HERE.
In the photo (top) 
Seen here, from l to r, are Skyscanner’s Gemma Jamieson and Jennifer Weatherhead Harrington. 

Skyscanner taps into the Year of Collective Travel Experiences

Skyscanner unveiled its annual travel trends report in Toronto last night (Oct. 26, 2024), providing insight into the behaviour and spending of Canadian travellers in the coming year.
Hosted by Skyscanner’s Gemma Jamieson at AP Yorkville, travel trade types had a chance to sample the culinary wonders of Chef Antonio Park while exploring some of the insights and trends in Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Trends Report.
Jamieson walked her audience through the findings on both trending and best value destinations and 7 travel trends for the coming year uncovered in the report.
What becomes immediately clear in Skyscanner’s findings is that Canadians are increasingly drawn to culturally and historically rich destinations for 2025, seeking immersive experiences that combine natural beauty, unique traditions, and vibrant local cultures.
Skyscanner’s top 10 destinations with the biggest year-on-year increase in searches include:

1. Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos, +713% search increase
2. Cusco, Peru: +163% search increase
3. Krabi, Thailand: +158% search increase
4. Madeira, Portugal: +153% search increase
5. Okinawa, Japan: +145% search increase
6. Tromsø, Norway: +127% search increase
7. Marrakesh, Morocco: +123% search increase
8. Florence, Italy: +115% search increase
9. San Antonio, USA: +99% search increase
10. Colorado Springs, USA: +94% search increase

Skyscanner also reported that the top factors that determine Canadians’ choice of a holiday destination include:

The cost of flights (71%)
The cost of hotels (64%)
The cost of food and drink (37%)

As for the cheapest destinations, Skyscanner’s top 10 list includes:

1. Florence, Italy: -29% price drop
2. Faro, Portugal: -28% price drop
3. Bogota, Colombia: -28% price drop
4. Madeira, Portugal: -28% price drop
5. Quito, Ecuador: -27% price drop
6. Reykjavik, Iceland: -21% price drop
7. Paris, France: -20% price drop
8. Rome, Italy: -19% price drop
9. Oslo, Norway: -18% price drop
10. Barcelona, Spain: -17% price drop

Skyscanner also found that despite today’s economic challenges, demand for trips remains strong. In fact, Canadians continue to prioritize their travel plans and budgets, with 83% intending to travel as much or more in 2025. However, finding the best value remains a key consideration.
For 62% of Canadians, the cost of flights is one of the most important factors, with many budgeting the same or more for airfare in 2025 compared to last year. Spending on accommodation and car rentals is also expected to rise, with planned budget increases of 32% and 15%, respectively.
(Canadians can stay ahead of the curve by signing up for Skyscanner’s Price Alerts).

Skyscanner’s 2025 report also uncovered seven key trends, all fuelled by the desire to find community and enjoy the freedom to truly be yourself while discovering new ways to explore the globe:

Sport Mode: Passion for sport is influencing how travellers, especially younger ones, explore a destination. 65% of 25-34-year-olds are looking to explore a new place by running or cycling, while 21% of all Canadian travellers plan to attend or participate in a sporting event while on vacation.
Astro-Adventures: Astro-tourism combines the adventure of exploring celestial events alongside the mystical insights of astrology. Canadians are eager to stargaze, with 56% of Canadians hoping to get a glimpse of the Nothern Lights during their travel, 33% are planning a vacation around witnessing a Lunar or Solar Eclipse.
Reset-Jetters: The rise of health, resilience and longevity tourism. There’s a generational divide in approaches to health and wellbeing: 45% of 24-34-year-olds are more likely to take a health-conscious approach to their holidays compared to 37% of 65-year-olds and over.
Art-Venture: Art and culture have long been a favourite motivation to travel. Today, 53% of Canadian travellers say culture is the most important reason for choosing a holiday destination.
Cowboy Core: Yee-haw! 35% of Canadian travellers are fans of Cowboy Core, rising to 56% among 18-24-year-olds. Over a quarter (36%) are eager to experience the simplicity of a farm stay, while 43% would like to dine around a campfire.
Horti-Culture: Canadian travellers are a green-fingered bunch. A significant 71% plan to visit gardens while on vacation and notably 45% say gardening tops their list of leisure activities, beating painting (25%) and playing a musical instrument (19%).
Gami-Vacation: Building on last year’s trend of ‘Main character energy’ – where travellers step inside the shoes of their favourite TV and film characters – 34% of Canadian travellers are inspired to book a trip abroad based on locations from their favourite video game.

To review the full report, CLICK HERE.
In the photo (top) 
Seen here, from l to r, are Skyscanner’s Gemma Jamieson and Jennifer Weatherhead Harrington. 

Travel expert says one month is ‘perfect’ time to visit Canary Islands hotspot

Brits are feeling the chill as the UK weather takes a turn, with colder days, more frequent rain and darker nights setting in.Many are likely yearning for some much-needed sunshine. But there’s good news for sun-seekers, as a travel guru has recommended the Canary Islands as an ideal October getaway – particularly praising Gran Canaria for its superb winter climate.A TikTok travel influencer, known as @explorecanary, has issued advice to those planning a trip to Gran Canaria this month, promising them a delightful experience. For those curious about what to pack for the current weather conditions, she urges holidaymakers to “listen up”, and make room for swimwear.In her latest video, the travel enthusiast said: “For me, there’s no better month to go on vacation in Gran Canaria than October. In October, there’s less wind, so the weather is nicer. Also, because it’s less hotter than the previous summer months when, in my opinion, it’s really too much.”What should you pack? Obviously, swimwear is a must and summer clothes are still needed but, I advise you bring a light jacket, a sweater and a light scarf for the evening and early mornings when temperatures go down and there’s a considerable difference from the day. This is for the south area.”Travellers heading north have been warned by the travel expert to expect a stark contrast in weather compared to the south, with colder, more humid conditions expected. In the north, you’ll also find more cloudiness and a higher chance of rain.The video has garnered hundreds of views, sparking lively discussions among viewers eager for insights into the year’s later weather patterns.One viewer shared their experience, writing: “I’ve been to Gran Canaria every month of the year. Almost always had great weather, but find Feb/March to be coolest. It’s my happy place.”Another excitedly posted about their upcoming trip, saying: “Coming for Christmas, and from Scotland.”Meanwhile, a third chimed in with: “I am here for the third time in Playa del Ingles and October is indeed the most pleasant.”The Canary Islands are often hailed as a “winter haven” for Brits seeking refuge from the cold, offering not just sunshine but also gentle balmy breezes and warm temperatures.Even in December, the area is said to be perfect for those yearning for some winter sun. And, when the weather is so dreary in the UK, it can be hard not to resist the tempting trip.

Travel expert says one month is ‘perfect’ time to visit Canary Islands hotspot

Brits are feeling the chill as the UK weather takes a turn, with colder days, more frequent rain and darker nights setting in.Many are likely yearning for some much-needed sunshine. But there’s good news for sun-seekers, as a travel guru has recommended the Canary Islands as an ideal October getaway – particularly praising Gran Canaria for its superb winter climate.A TikTok travel influencer, known as @explorecanary, has issued advice to those planning a trip to Gran Canaria this month, promising them a delightful experience. For those curious about what to pack for the current weather conditions, she urges holidaymakers to “listen up”, and make room for swimwear.In her latest video, the travel enthusiast said: “For me, there’s no better month to go on vacation in Gran Canaria than October. In October, there’s less wind, so the weather is nicer. Also, because it’s less hotter than the previous summer months when, in my opinion, it’s really too much.”What should you pack? Obviously, swimwear is a must and summer clothes are still needed but, I advise you bring a light jacket, a sweater and a light scarf for the evening and early mornings when temperatures go down and there’s a considerable difference from the day. This is for the south area.”Travellers heading north have been warned by the travel expert to expect a stark contrast in weather compared to the south, with colder, more humid conditions expected. In the north, you’ll also find more cloudiness and a higher chance of rain.The video has garnered hundreds of views, sparking lively discussions among viewers eager for insights into the year’s later weather patterns.One viewer shared their experience, writing: “I’ve been to Gran Canaria every month of the year. Almost always had great weather, but find Feb/March to be coolest. It’s my happy place.”Another excitedly posted about their upcoming trip, saying: “Coming for Christmas, and from Scotland.”Meanwhile, a third chimed in with: “I am here for the third time in Playa del Ingles and October is indeed the most pleasant.”The Canary Islands are often hailed as a “winter haven” for Brits seeking refuge from the cold, offering not just sunshine but also gentle balmy breezes and warm temperatures.Even in December, the area is said to be perfect for those yearning for some winter sun. And, when the weather is so dreary in the UK, it can be hard not to resist the tempting trip.

Tourists visit Wetherspoons for first time and are left shocked by one thing

Two tourists who visited a Wetherspoons for the first time this year were left shocked by one thing in particular about the popular pub chain. Brandon and Anja, who have visited at least 50 countries, run the Where Are We?! YouTube channel. The channel boasts more than 9,000 subscribers and features locations as diverse as Serbia, Poland, Andorra, and Canada.In a video titled, ‘Foreigners try Wetherspoons for the first time’, the pair paid a visit to a J.J. Moon’s Wetherspoons in London, where they stopped for breakfast before returning later for more food and drinks. They ordered three breakfast dishes that came to around £16, an amount that surprised the pair, and which Brandon described as a “pretty good deal”. Meanwhile, Anja was also impressed by the free refills available for the coffee and tea. Speaking about his full English, Brandon said: “As Anja said, for the price, this is really good. I’m kind of shocked, actually. This is only what? Three or four pounds, something like that.”There’s a promotion on the one that we got, but yeah, it’s like four pounds for everything. That’s like less than half of the price of the one that we got in London so pretty good deal.”Brandon and Anja treated themselves to a traditional full English breakfast, eggs benedict and a breakfast muffin, with Anja remarking that the black pudding was “really good” and the spices were “really yummy”. The black pudding also went down a storm with Brandon, who reiterated Anja’s sentiment that it was “really good”, adding that it was “nice and crispy” and didn’t have a “strong irony taste”. He was similarly impressed with the eggs benedict, which he said for the price was “not bad at all”, before saying the bacon “really shines”, although he added that the Hollandaise sauce didn’t stand out “that much”. Anja also enjoyed the “delicious” bacon but agreed with Brandon about the Hollandaise, saying it was “not very flavourful” and “almost just tastes like the egg”. Finally, the pair tucked into a sausage and bacon muffin, which they also both enjoyed, so much so that Anja described it as her favourite of the three dishes.Brandon and Anja returned when the Wetherspoons was busier at around 4pm to enjoy drinks and more food, with Anja opting for a Brewdog Elvis Juice and Brandon choosing an espresso martini. Brandon said: “The menu for Wetherspoons is so eclectic and strange. There are curries, chillies, obviously deep fried dishes, burgers. And apparently at some locations, pizzas, but this location didn’t have any pizzas.”As for their food options, they ordered halloumi fries, chicken wings, jackfruit bao buns, scampi with chips and mushy peas and Japanese katsu chicken curry. Summing up, Brandon said: “I went in with, obviously, pretty low expectations given what people said about it, but given the price, it’s really not that bad at all.”Maybe it’s not the best food in the world, of course, but for the price, pretty good, pretty reasonable.”Anja added: “And I think especially for drinks, it’s worth it. There’s some beers that are £1.99 or 89. So it’s definitely worth it if you’re on a budget like us.”

Tourists visit Wetherspoons for first time and are left shocked by one thing

Two tourists who visited a Wetherspoons for the first time this year were left shocked by one thing in particular about the popular pub chain. Brandon and Anja, who have visited at least 50 countries, run the Where Are We?! YouTube channel. The channel boasts more than 9,000 subscribers and features locations as diverse as Serbia, Poland, Andorra, and Canada.In a video titled, ‘Foreigners try Wetherspoons for the first time’, the pair paid a visit to a J.J. Moon’s Wetherspoons in London, where they stopped for breakfast before returning later for more food and drinks. They ordered three breakfast dishes that came to around £16, an amount that surprised the pair, and which Brandon described as a “pretty good deal”. Meanwhile, Anja was also impressed by the free refills available for the coffee and tea. Speaking about his full English, Brandon said: “As Anja said, for the price, this is really good. I’m kind of shocked, actually. This is only what? Three or four pounds, something like that.”There’s a promotion on the one that we got, but yeah, it’s like four pounds for everything. That’s like less than half of the price of the one that we got in London so pretty good deal.”Brandon and Anja treated themselves to a traditional full English breakfast, eggs benedict and a breakfast muffin, with Anja remarking that the black pudding was “really good” and the spices were “really yummy”. The black pudding also went down a storm with Brandon, who reiterated Anja’s sentiment that it was “really good”, adding that it was “nice and crispy” and didn’t have a “strong irony taste”. He was similarly impressed with the eggs benedict, which he said for the price was “not bad at all”, before saying the bacon “really shines”, although he added that the Hollandaise sauce didn’t stand out “that much”. Anja also enjoyed the “delicious” bacon but agreed with Brandon about the Hollandaise, saying it was “not very flavourful” and “almost just tastes like the egg”. Finally, the pair tucked into a sausage and bacon muffin, which they also both enjoyed, so much so that Anja described it as her favourite of the three dishes.Brandon and Anja returned when the Wetherspoons was busier at around 4pm to enjoy drinks and more food, with Anja opting for a Brewdog Elvis Juice and Brandon choosing an espresso martini. Brandon said: “The menu for Wetherspoons is so eclectic and strange. There are curries, chillies, obviously deep fried dishes, burgers. And apparently at some locations, pizzas, but this location didn’t have any pizzas.”As for their food options, they ordered halloumi fries, chicken wings, jackfruit bao buns, scampi with chips and mushy peas and Japanese katsu chicken curry. Summing up, Brandon said: “I went in with, obviously, pretty low expectations given what people said about it, but given the price, it’s really not that bad at all.”Maybe it’s not the best food in the world, of course, but for the price, pretty good, pretty reasonable.”Anja added: “And I think especially for drinks, it’s worth it. There’s some beers that are £1.99 or 89. So it’s definitely worth it if you’re on a budget like us.”