The Japanese government revealed at the 24th Tourism Promotion Cabinet Meeting that the number of international visitors to Japan is expected to reach record-high 35 million and also record-high travel spending of 8 trillion yen in 2024. The government has recognized that the goals of 60 million international visitors and travel spending of 15 trillion yen in 2030 will be accomplished.
Amid rapid growth of international visitors, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that it is essential to address promotion to send inbound tourists to local areas and precaution against over-tourism.
To send inbound tourists to local areas
To tackle the jet fuel shortage issue, which seems to be a hurdle for foreign airlines to increase their flights to local airports, the government has drawn up a action plan to secure supplies of jet fuels equivalent to 150 flights a week. At the same time, a variety of supports for local airports to extend their international flight network, such as digital technology-based immigration processes, will be provided.
In addition, Kishida made it clear that the government aims to elevate all of 35 National Parks nationwide to ‘world-standard national parks’ by 2031 by using private sectors’ business activities, including building of high-valued hotels and creation of new nature-based activities.
To avoid over-tourism
For precautions against over-tourism, the government will make a precaution guideline by the end of this year, based on the expected accomplishments from the Japan Tourism Agency’s project to avoid over-tourism in the designated 20 areas nationwide.
Also, the government will cooperate with prefectures in using government-owned lands, considering the recent Mt.Fuji climbing rules. Shizuoka Prefecture had to make a different rule in Shizuoka routes from the Yamanashi route because most of the climbing routes from Shizuoka side are covered by the government-owned lands.
