July 26, 2011 – Travellers worldwide are once again considering visiting Japan, following the devastating 11 March disasters and subsequent nuclear fears that have caused tourist arrivals to plunge. New figures from a Hotels.com survey showed more than 60% of global respondents are now open to visiting the country.
Japan ranked in the top three favourite global destinations for more than half of respondents worldwide, with the majority preferring a visit to the capital, Tokyo. Eighty-six per cent of respondents also said they would consider a trip to Japan within the next year.
Flight and hotel costs were a major incentive, with almost 70 per cent saying they would visit Japan now if the price was right. The country’s food, culture and sightseeing were also cited as important motivations.
Hideki Yokoyama, a Senior Director at the Tourism Division of Tokyo’s Bureau of Industrial & Labour Affairs, said; “I am very encouraged that so many people in the Hotels.com survey indicated that they are willing to travel to Japan. I hope that everyone can visit Japan and experience the best of Tokyo’s fantastic hospitality which never changes. Moreover, I would like everyone to see that the whole of Japan is working together for a rapid recovery. Please feel free to visit Japan now or in the near future.”
“It is great to see the intention to travel to Japan remains, despite the recent natural disasters, and that it has been named a favourite destination,” said Johan Svanstrom, Vice President & Managing Director of Hotels.com Asia Pacific. “Much of Japan remains open for business and it is vital that the global travel industry supports its operators and hotels.”
Visitor arrivals to Japan slumped 62.5 per cent year-on-year in April to 295,800. This eased in May to an annualised drop of around 50%.
The Hotels.com study questioned 500 travellers from 17 countries in July 2011.
Source From: matta
