Last year, Japan welcomed many visitors due to barn and popular culture, and tour operators say that interest in this country continues to heat up.
In 2024, the country recorded 36.8 million tourists, overpowering the 2019 record year and visiting 13.9 million people. Tour operators say there is a demand from American customers fascinated by this country for rich culture, food scenes and entertainment. A Japanese National Tourism Organization spokesman said that 2.7 million Americans, which have surged 30% since 2023, have visited Japan.
TRAFALGAR showed a 93% increase in the company’s classical trip to Japan, which is a 11 -day tour from Tokyo to Osaka. Meanwhile, EF World Journeys jumped 33%to make a reservation from the brand to Japan. Last year, it was the best trip to Japan’s trip to Alexander + Roberts, and 2025 was expected to outperform results.
Melissa Dasilva, a temporary CEO of the TTC Tour brand, said, “Japan has the most sold destinations in Asia. . Dasilva said, “This is a very interesting destination in that it absolutely accepts a kind of cutting -edge technology, but it focuses on maintaining a long tradition at the same time.
Tour operators have been steadily increasing in Japan in recent years, and in late 2022, the number of infectious diseases has increased, and more flights in the country have increased in the United States.
Dasilva also pointed out the prevalence of Japan in popular culture, including the influence of the United States, an increase in TV shows, and Japanese fashion, which emphasizes travel to the United States.
Heidi Durflinger, CEO of EF World Journeys USA, pointed out the influence of the show, especially the food, history and culture and the “Shogun” of FX.
Durflinger said the demand for EF travelers in North America in 2023 and 2024 was far from traveling to the Middle East and raised interest in Asia. Due to its popularity, the EF developed three new tours in Asia, including two Japan last year.
Scott Avera, chairman of Alexander + Roberts, said that the Foodie Culture was curious about many travelers in this country, which means the transition to the company’s early customers. The high -end small group tour operator started traveling in Asia in the 1980s, and Avera said today that customers are more interested in absorbing their nose and experience -based travel.
Avoid tourist crowds
As the traveler’s surge, locals and visitors competing to see the main attractions, but the crowd will not slow down as Japan achieves the goals of Japan’s annual foreign visitors by 2030.
Travel agencies are trying to fight the crowd and provide more elbow rooms for both customers and locals.
David Peat, a Japanese executive of Audley Travel, who plans custom tours, said that the customer aims to balance the desire to observe popular places by introducing them to less known destinations.
“Of course, there are places that people want to go, but even cities like Kyoto have a very famous place, very famous tourist spots, but there are very busy but much more. Even if the block is separated, it will be quiet again, so you can have such a kind of authentic and comfortable experience. ”
Durflinger said the EF provided a tour to relieve pushing the shoulder and offseason, and Dasilva said that TRAFALGAR booked on -site visit or booked after time.
EF Go AF
Tour operators also said that they also emphasized less visited communities such as Takayama and Mount Takayama. They said that areas outside of major Japanese cities are often the favorite part of their travels, which can be easily accessible to the site, as well as providing more opportunities with locals.
