What to expect from Travel and Tourism in Japan between now and 2019

Travel and Tourism in Japan to 2019 report was released today. The report provides detailed information on the Japanese tourism sector, analyzing market data and providing insights. It provides a better understanding of tourism flows, tourist expenditure, airlines, hotels, car rental and travel intermediaries industries.

The report brings together Travel & Tourism Intelligence Center’s research, modeling and analysis expertise in order to develop uniquely detailed market data. This allows domestic and foreign companies to identify the market dynamics and to discover which segments will see growth in the coming years.

Synopsis

• Travel and Tourism sector became the main focus of Japan’s economic policy in anticipation of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The government set the target of 30 million international arrivals by 2030.

• The domestic tourist volume declined by 3% annually in 2011 due to the Tohuku earthquake followed by tsunami waves. However, domestic trips grew from 286 million in 2012 to 289 million in 2014, which was supported by route expansions by LCCs. China’s LCC, Spring Group, launched domestic flight connecting Narita with Takamatsu, Saga and Hiroshima in 2014.

• Taiwan surpassed South Korea and became the country’s leading source of tourists in 2014 due in part to increasing number of LCC flights to Japan. However, the tourist inflow from China declined by 7.8% in 2013 due to political tension created between the two countries over nationalization of the Senkaku Islands by Japan in late 2012.

• The share of LCCs in Japan has moved up from 7.8% of the total seats sold in 2010 to 18.6% in 2014. The total number of seats sold for LCCs increased at a historic-period CAGR of 28.88%, in contrast to the negligible growth of 0.56% for full service airlines.

• Fast growing short-term home rental market in Japan provides an alternate option to growing tourist volume at inexpensive prices. In addition, government’s relaxations on short-term rental rules along with visa-relaxation policy for Southeast Asian countries are expected to support the market for short-term rented houses, which can pose a threat to the hotel industry in the region.

• The travel agencies are collaborating with IT companies to develop tourism related software and applications; and mobile payment options.